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COVID-19: Reps frown at inhuman treatment of Nigerians, send warning to China

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COVID-19: Reps frown at inhuman treatment of Nigerians, send warning to China

The leadership of the House of Representatives has frowned at the alleged inhuman treatment being meted out on some Nigerians by the Chinese authorities in Beijing.

The Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila at a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian, warned that the alleged treatment must be addressed forthwith.

The details of the meeting were contained in a statement released by the office of the Speaker, House of Reps and signed by Lanre Lasisi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker.

Viral videos had showed that some Nigerians were being inhumanly treated in China, including being forced into another 14-day quarantine after the initial 14 days they spent for same purpose over the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

The Speaker, at the meeting confronted the Chinese Ambassador with the protest video of the incidence where a Nigerian was seen challenging Chinese officials over the maltreatment.

At the meeting, which had in attendance the Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu and Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu, the Speaker said viral media reports/videos from Beijing showed Nigerians being forced out of their houses and hotels, rounded up and their passports seized by the Chinese police.

The Speaker said there should be an official explanation for treating Nigerians in such a manner.

While asking the Chinese Ambassador if he has taken up the issue with his home country, the Speaker said:

“If the diplomatic relationships between our two countries are for the mutual benefits of our citizens, then there must be respect for our citizens, and we should not compromise it.

“As a government, we will not allow Chinese or other nationals to be maltreated just as we will not allow Nigerians to be maltreated in other countries.

“The way you treat your citizens, we expect that’s how you’ll treat others. We will not tolerate our citizens breaking your laws, but the crime of one citizen cannot be used to stigmatize the whole country.

“It appears that’s what happened in this case. You can’t use one brush to smear the whole wall. Whatever the reason, it cannot be used and taken out on the entire community in China”.

In his response, Ambassador Pingjian said though he has not been officially informed about the details of the incidence but that he would take it up with the home government.

“We take our relationship with Nigeria very seriously. Until we receive a full report from back home, I cannot act, but I can assure you it is not a policy issue.

“We treat everyone equally, but during the implementation of the COVID-19 measures in China, it is possible for some incidents; all I do is to take it back home, today I will,” he said.

READ ALSO: Nigeria’s COVID-19 figure hits 305 as NDDC confirms 17 fresh cases in Lagos, 6 others

The Speaker said the House would expect a feedback from the Ambassador as soon as possible, “at least by Tuesday”.

Gbajabiamila added, “It is better we nip it in the bud so that it doesn’t escalate to another level. So, by Tuesday, if you have the information to give us, if steps have been taken, let’s talk about it and let’s see the way forward.”

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