A Chinese couple has been arrested by the police in Abuja over an alleged lock up of their Nigerian domestic staff in their apartment for at least, four months.
The domestic staff numbering eight were on Tuesday, rescued by security personnel attached to the Utako Divisional Police Station, upon a report to the Human Rights radio station by a resident.
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The couple’s residence in the Jabi area of the Federal Capital Territory, was raided by the police and they were taken custody alongside their Nigerian employees.
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According to a footage made public by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, the victims revealed that they have been locked up in their Chinese employer’s apartment since February.
One of the victims who spoke on anonymity, stated that she and her colleagues were restricted from leaving the building, and even when she was ill, she was prevented from going for treatment.
She narrated that the couple had given instructions for anyone going out to get something for the others, a act which attracted a salary deduction when some of them did.
The driver of the couple who gave his name as Alex, further explained that himself and his colleagues have been working against their will for the last four months, since the outbreak of Covid-19.
Another worker narrated that his employers deducted the sum of N3,000 from his salary, as punishment for going out to fill his pension form.
However, a police source disclosed to newsmen that the Nigerian workers have surprisingly refused to open up with details on the issue.
The source explained that the workers claimed to have not been held hostage against their will by their Chinese employers, leading to suspicions that there could be more to their entire story.
DSP Anjuguri Manzah, the spokesman of the Police Command in Abuja, who confirmed the incident, highlighted that his men have instituted an investigation.
The Chinese couple have been released on bail according to the police spokesman.
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