Interior ministry confirms NIS officer was hit by stray bullet, clears Chinese firm

The ministry of interior has confirmed that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) officer thought to be shot on the orders of a Chinese firm was hit by a stray bullet instead.

Babatunde Alao, special adviser on media and publicity to Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, said the findings were from further investigations into the matter.

Tunji-Ojo had accused a Chinese firm of spearheading the shooting and vowed tough action.

However, in a statement on Friday, Cui Guangzhen, director general of the Chinese commerce chamber in Nigeria, denied the involvement of any Chinese citizen or firm in the incident.

Instead, Guangzhen blamed it on a stray bullet from the Nigerian police while trying to arrest a suspect suspected of stealing iron rods from a Chinese company.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Alao corroborated Guangzhen’s defence and said the full details emerged as an active investigation is underway.

“Following the report of the alleged shooting of an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Niger State, further investigations have revealed that the officer was hit by a stray bullet that was neither shot on the order of the Chinese company nor its employee,” the statement reads.

“A full-fledged investigation has been launched into the shooting of the personnel in collaboration with other security agencies. This is to unravel the detailed circumstances surrounding the shooting while giving assurance that anyone found culpable will be brought to book.

“The Minister reaffirms his strong commitment to ensuring the safety, dignity, and professional integrity of all law enforcement officers.”

The ministry emphasised that the government will continue to support law-abiding local and foreign businesses.