Nigeria To Repatriate 6 Citizens Abandoned By Chinese Mining Company In Central African Republic After Months Of Unpaid Labour

The Nigerian Government has announced plans to repatriate six Nigerian nationals who were abandoned by a Chinese mining company in the Central African Republic (CAR) after months of unpaid labor.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, who made this known in a statement issued on Friday, said the affected individuals will arrive in Bangui on Saturday, while preparations for their repatriation to Nigeria are concluded.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is deeply concerned about the welfare of Nigerian workers currently stranded in the Central African Republic,” Ebienfa stated.

SaharaReporters reported on Thursday that the affected individuals raised an alarm in a viral video, accusing the Chinese mining company of abandoning them in a remote location in the Central African Republic after months of unpaid labour.

The distraught workers, who said they were taken to the country by the Chinese firm Rado Central Coal Mining Company, revealed that they had not received any salary in over six months despite being in the country for 10 months.

According to them, the situation worsened after they were reportedly arrested by the Central African government and detained for a period.

After their release, they said the company transported them deep into the bush, approximately 850 kilometres from the capital city, Bangui, away from civilisation.

The workers appealed to fellow Nigerians and the government to intervene and ensure their safe return, adding that their exact location is Senye, under the Bambari region in the Central African Republic.

They identified the Chinese owners of the company as Mr. Yang and Mr. Wu, both reportedly still in the country.

According to them, the company’s Nigerian operations are based in Nigeria under the name Rado Central Coal Mining Company.

The video sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians calling for immediate action from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in the Central African Republic to rescue the stranded workers.

In the statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui has established contact with the stranded citizens and is taking swift action to ensure their safety and return.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that the affected Nigerians have been contacted by the hardworking officials of our Mission in the Central African Republic, and the Embassy of Nigeria in Bangui is actively engaging with relevant authorities to ensure the safety, protection, and swift repatriation of the affected Nigerian nationals,” he said.

According to the Ministry, the workers' passports have been successfully retrieved, and arrangements have been made to evacuate them from Bambari to Bangui.

“A vehicle has been sent to Bambari to evacuate the stranded Nigerians to Bangui,” Ebienfa disclosed.

“They are likely to arrive in the capital city with a military escort on Saturday, July 26, 2025.”

The Ministry also noted that discussions are ongoing with the Chinese company responsible for their abandonment to ensure their accommodation and welfare are taken care of while in Bangui, before their repatriation.

“Discussions are also ongoing with the company for their accommodation and welfare while in Bangui and their subsequent repatriation to Nigeria,” Ebienfa said.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to the welfare of its citizens abroad, Ebienfa added, “The Federal Government reiterates its commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of its citizens everywhere in the world.”

However, he also issued a caution to Nigerians seeking employment overseas.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to advise Nigerians travelling abroad for work to verify the credibility of their employers and ensure proper documentation before departure,” he said.

“Nigerians are also advised to register their presence and that of their employees with the Embassy of Nigeria whenever they are in any foreign country to avert unpleasant experiences in the event of consular issues.”