In a strong condemnation of the recent shooting of a Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) officer in Niger State, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has vowed to take firm action against the Chinese company allegedly behind the incident. Describing the attack as an “attack on Nigeria,” the minister emphasized that such behavior would not be tolerated and vowed to escalate the issue to the highest diplomatic levels.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ sensitization workshop on the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 in Abuja on Thursday, Minister Tunji-Ojo expressed his outrage over the event, which occurred a few weeks ago in Niger State. He revealed that the immigration officer, who was simply performing his official duties, was shot after being ordered by the company’s security to do so.
“This is not just an attack on an individual officer, it’s an attack on Nigeria,” said Tunji-Ojo. “No foreign company should think they can operate in Nigeria and treat our officials with such disrespect.”
The minister went on to reveal that the Chinese company involved had instructed their security to shoot the officer, sparking national outrage. Although he chose not to name the company, he made it clear that the government would be taking the matter up with the Chinese embassy. He also pointed out that such behavior would never be accepted in any country, stressing that no Nigerian would ever be allowed to act with such impunity in China or elsewhere.
“For a father to leave his children, fulfill his responsibilities, and go to a company only to be locked out and shot at? This is unacceptable,” the minister said. He vowed that incidents like these would never be allowed to happen again in Nigeria.
Tunji-Ojo also warned that the Nigerian government has the power to revoke business licenses and declare such companies illegal if they continue to operate with impunity. “No company is above the law. We will not tolerate this. We are committed to supporting businesses, but we demand mutual respect.”
In addition to addressing the shooting incident, the minister also announced the upcoming introduction of the Expatriate Administration System starting May 1. This new system will monitor foreign workers in Nigeria, ensuring they comply with the country’s immigration laws. He emphasized that anyone who does not regularize their immigration status during the three-month window (from May 1 to August 1) will face enforcement actions, including deportation.
“We welcome foreigners, but only if they are willing to follow our laws. If you come to Nigeria, obey our rules. It’s not too much to ask,” said Tunji-Ojo, stressing that Nigeria would no longer tolerate any form of lawlessness.
Furthermore, the minister highlighted the launch of the Online Visa Approval Center to streamline visa applications and reduce corruption. This new system, which eliminates the need for physical visits to visa offices, is designed to process e-visas within 48 hours, making the process faster and more transparent.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is also undergoing a digital transformation, with the reduction of visa classifications from 79 to 44 to simplify procedures and enhance accessibility.
With these new initiatives and his firm stance on the recent incident, Minister Tunji-Ojo is sending a clear message: Nigeria will not tolerate any disrespect, and all foreign businesses must operate within the boundaries of the law.
About The Author
