The Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has ordered the re-arrest of five alleged illegal immigrants employed at Royal Castle Ceramics in Ogun State.
The directive followed public outrage over the sudden release of the Chinese nationals, who were initially arrested and slated for deportation under Section 44 of the Immigration Act. Reports indicated that their discharge was allegedly secured through unofficial lobbying by a retired senior NIS officer.
According to an internal memo, the service mandated the immediate re-apprehension of the five expatriates effective from the close of work on Friday, August 22, 2025.
The decision, the memo added, is aimed at calming public discontent while ensuring a thorough investigation and full documentation of their immigration status and employment activities in Nigeria.
The individuals affected are: Zhang Damou (46), Sales Manager; Qian Jin (48), Sales Manager on a Temporary Work Permit (TWP); Tang Pan (41), Interpreter on TWP; Lin Jianfeng (52), Business Manager on TWP; and Guo Zhengheng (40), Sales Manager on a Business Visa.
Authorities said the arrests were based on infractions of Sections 36, 38, 56, and 105 of the Immigration Act, 2015. While the initial operation was carried out in line with legal procedures, their abrupt release stirred criticism and raised questions about the integrity of immigration enforcement in the country.
The Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap, is now under mounting pressure to address both the case and broader concerns over internal misconduct. Civil society groups and stakeholders are demanding stronger enforcement measures and transparency to restore public confidence in the Service.
In a related move, the Ministry of Interior announced an immediate review of all expatriate quotas and permits linked to Royal Castle Ceramics and other manufacturing firms, citing “widespread abuse of immigration privileges” in Nigeria’s industrial sector.
