Nigerian miners accuse Chinese firm of abandoning them in Central African Republic

Some Nigerians have accused a Chinese mining company of abandoning them in the Central African Republic (CAR) after recruiting them to work in a mining operation.

In a video that began circulating online on Thursday, an unnamed man — flanked by five others — claimed the group had worked for six months without pay.

He said the group arrived in CAR last September but were arrested by authorities in Bangui, the capital, and held for four months.

“When we came out they brought us to this bush, you can see there is no house anywhere here,” the man said, gesturing toward a sparsely populated rural area.

“The person in charge, the Nigerian general manager of the company. His name is …Ademola Aregbe. He has gone back to Nigeria, and when we called him, he said too he’s not concerned about our wellbeing anymore,” he added.

“He abandoned us,” another man chimed in.

“Now, his partner; his name is Amos, he’s a Central African citizen,” the main speaker continued.

“He seized our passport. Without our passport, we cannot pass through their road because their law is very very strict here. The distance between this place to Bangui is 850 kilometres.

”So, please Nigerians, if there’s a way you can help us. Please spread this video. Let them know that some Nigerians have been abandoned in Central Africa.”

The man identified the group’s location to be at Senye, a village in the Bambari region of CAR.

While the exact Chinese company was not clearly identified, the speaker referenced it alongside Setraco Mining Company in Nigeria.

“The owner of the company is Mr. Yang,” the speaker said, adding that Yang’s partner, a Chinese man, is in CAR.

NIDCOM RESPONDS

In a statement, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) said it is actively engaging with relevant authorities to facilitate the group’s safe evacuation from the remote mining site where they are currently located.

“Given their distance from the nearest urban center, immediate steps are being taken to locate them, process emergency travel documents, and arrange their transportation to the capital,” the commission said.

“Additionally, flight tickets will be secured for their return to Nigeria. All necessary efforts are being mobilized to ensure their safe and swift repatriation.”

NIDCOM said further updates will be provided as the situation progresses.