Nigerian Police Arrests Two Chinese Nationals

Two citizens of China have been arrested for running an illegal factory in electronic waste by the Nigerian Police Force in Ikeja, Lagos state.

It was reported that the Chinese nationals were arrested with cartons of waste which were ready to be exported to China and Vietnam by air cargo when police operatives from area “F” command raided the company located at No. 19 Sule Abuka Street, Opebi, Ikeja.

A police source revealed that the accused Lin Piehao (22 years old) and Li Ruoneng (27 years old) have been living in Nigeria with an expired visa and the arrest was as a result of secret information given to the police concerning the illegal works of these Chinese.

“We got a tip-off on their activities and we went to the factory to arrest them. We also discovered that the two brains behind the company were staying in Nigeria illegally. They came to Lagos in May and they were issued one-month visas, but they exceeded their stay and were working in Nigeria illegally,” the source added.

Piehao, one of the suspect stated, “We buy phone panels from phone repairers and scrap sellers. We remove the panels’ IC with a machine and then ship it to China and Vietnam.

“We have some Nigerian casual workers in our factory, but we gave them the rules and asked them to be discreet about what we do before they joined us.

“We actually came to Nigeria with one-month visas to explore the country and know the business we can do, but our boss in China urged us to open the factory and we have been enjoying Nigeria and do not want to go back despite the expiration of our visas.

“I don’t have a work permit; I know it is a crime to work without a work permit, but the electronics waste business is very lucrative. We do a lot to ensure that the smoke from the factory does not affect the environment in which we operate.”

Bala Elkana, The state Police Public Relations Officer stated that investigation on the subject matter has commenced.

He said, “We have two Chinese in our custody; they are operating the factory illegally, because they actually registered a business, but the purpose for which it was registered is different from what they are using it for now.

“They are emitting poisonous gases, polluting the environment and disturbing the neighbourhood. Investigation into the matter is ongoing.”