Diplomatic discussions are underway between China and Nigeria following the emergence of a viral video showing Nigerian miners allegedly trafficked and abandoned by a Chinese-owned mining firm in the Central African Republic (CAR).
The video, widely shared online, showed distressed Nigerian miners claiming they had been deceived, worked for nearly a year without pay, denied food and shelter, and had their passports seized by their employer, identified as Denaco Erado Mining Company.
In response, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria announced it has launched an investigation and reaffirmed China’s commitment to ensuring its businesses abroad comply with local laws.
“The Chinese government insists that its companies overseas operate within the legal framework of host countries,” the embassy stated, adding that it will closely cooperate with Nigerian authorities to resolve the issue and protect the rights of all parties involved.
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Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) have also responded.
NiDCOM confirmed receiving the distress call and stated efforts are underway, in coordination with the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui, to safely repatriate the affected workers.
A spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry added that the Nigerian Embassy in CAR is actively engaging local authorities and has deployed a military vehicle to evacuate the miners from Bambari to the capital city, Bangui, with their arrival expected by Saturday, July 26.
This incident has drawn renewed scrutiny on Chinese mining operations across Africa, with long-standing concerns from human rights organisations over labour violations, poor oversight, and environmental harm.
As investigations continue, both countries are moving swiftly to address the diplomatic and humanitarian dimensions of the case.
image credit: Channels TV
