By Najib Sani, Gombe
A human rights organisations 'Conscience Foundation' has called for the immediate release of five Chinese workers allegedly detained by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) over alleged visa irregularities.
The workers, identified as Zhang Damou, Qian Jin, Lin Jianfeng, TangPan, and Guo Zhengheng who are staff of Royal Castle Ceramics Nigeria Limited in Ogun State, were arrested on 12th August and are being held at NIS headquarters in Abuja.
According to a press release signed by the executive director of the foundation, Bunmi Oyekanmi, and issued to our correspondent on Monday, the arrest of the Chinese expatriates sends wrong signal to the international community and undermines Nigeria’s reputation as a hospitable destination for investment.
"According to reports reaching the Foundation, the Nigeria Immigration Service not only arrested these individuals without due process, but has also laid siege to their company premises, disrupting operations.
"Such actions represent an abuse of power, a violation of human rights, and a direct affront to the principles of fairness, justice, and the rule of law.
"We request that the Nigeria Immigration Service prioritise diplomacy and cooperation over detention, considering the potential economic and diplomatic implications. We believe that a swift resolution to this matter will promote a favourable business environment and strengthen international relations", the group said.
Conscience Foundation demands the immediate release of the five Chinese workers currently in NIS custody and called for a transparent and lawful review process of any petition against the expatriates in line with constitutional provisions and international human rights standards.
"We recommend that the NIS engage in dialogue with relevant stakeholders, including the Chinese Embassy and business communities, to resolve visa issues amicably", the group suggested.
However, when contacted, the Deputy Comptroller in charge of investigation of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Azuka Halliday, has declined to respond to our correspondent on the matter.
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