Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has shut down a Chinese store in Abuja, the country’s capital, because it would not let Nigerians in, but only Chinese people in.

The commission told the owner of the store on Airport Road on Monday evening that they had to come in on Wednesday and would use “regulatory tools” against the management. It also claimed it had conducted investigations into complaints by Nigerians who claimed they were victims of unfair treatment. Officials say that the store owner could be punished if they are found guilty.

In the raid led by Boladale Adeyinka, the Director for Surveillance and Investigation of FCCPC, they said their job was in response to the video that went viral showing Nigerians being discriminated against and not being able to get into an Abuja supermarket.

At the end of the enforcement, Adeyinka said that the Chinese woman who owned the supermarket, Cindy Liu Bei, left with her family on Monday at 8:26 a.m., which was proven by the CCTV camera.

She said, “The essence of the surveillance and investigation that we conducted today is to verify the allegations and the content of that viral video.

“On arrival, we noticed that the supermarket which is right behind me, was sealed and padlocked externally. Inquiries have shown that yes, as this morning this supermarket was open and people were here.

“CCTV footage also shows that in the morning, two vehicles departed from these very premises allegedly containing the owner of the supermarket, whom we have been able to identify by name and we have her contact details.”

She further directed that the owner appear before the commission tribunal or the compound would remain sealed.

“Now the summons of course, since she’s not around and the place is locked, is to serve notice on her to appear before the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission by Wednesday.

“There are other regulatory tools to be deployed if she fails to attend to this summon. The summons means that on entering into these premises, they must see the summons because that is how they gain access to it”, she said.

Meanwhile, the China General Chamber Of Commerce, which is in the Royal Choice Estate with the supermarket, denied claims that any Nigerian was discriminated against or not allowed to shop at the store or in the estate.

On Monday in Abuja, the CGCC said this in a statement called “REJOINDER: Response to Allegations of Discrimination at Chinese Supermarket” and signed by the management. The chamber said that the residential area of the estate is made up of privately owned homes and that outside guests must follow strict security rules to stay safe.

However, it said it was sorry about the fight at the estate’s entrance gate between security staff and a customer and that it did not represent the official opinion of the estate management in any way.

The statement read in full, “The China General Chamber of Commerce and the supermarket are completely unrelated entities. The residential area of the estate consists of privately occupied residences. Access for external visitors must adhere to security protocols for safety reasons. The supermarket manager asserts that no individual was subjected to discrimination or denied access to the estate or supermarket to purchase groceries.”

It added, “The altercation at the estate’s entrance gate between the security personnel and a customer is regrettable and does not in any way reflect the official position of the estate management. The China General Chamber of Commerce is an organization that believes in equality and inclusiveness. Our principles are to enhance friendship between the people of both countries and promote economic development. Seeing is believing. We welcome firsthand visits to witness the truth.”

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has identified illegal mining activities as a major source of terrorism financing in the country and the African continent.

Tinubu who revealed this when he spoke at the African High-level Meeting on Counter-Terrorism held in Abuja on Monday, said illegal mining had plagued so many nations including Nigeria today which has made it quite easy for sponsors of terrorism to gain access to easy money.

The Nigerian President called for an international collaboration to dismantle the financing network of terrorists and to effectively trace and block terror financing, he said the international community bears a “moral and legal obligation to help because it is external finance, not African money, that fuels these illegal operations.”

“We shall be knocking on this door of the international community to answer this call for justice, peace, and fair play,” he said.

Tinubu also advocated for the creation of a regional standby force and a counter-terrorism centre to degrade the activities of terrorists in Africa’s most troubled spots, stressing that the counter-terrorism centre will be a hub for intelligence sharing, operational coordination and capacity building throughout Africa.

“Key to our collective efforts against terrorism is the urgent need for a fully operational Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre,” Tinubu said.

“A regional force can serve as a rapid deployment mechanism, capable of swiftly responding to major threats and bolstering the security of our region.

“I am mindful of the funding, legal, and logistical complexities that face the proper establishment of such a force.

“However, with a prudent and clearly defined mandate that accords with international law and respects national sovereignty, such a force can serve as a rapid deployment mechanism, capable of swiftly responding to major threats and bolstering the security of our region.

“Such a force can stand as a strong deterrent to large-scale and protracted terrorist operations and the capture, occupation or disruption of strategic land and resources. We must continue to make careful yet meaningful progress toward this goal.

“No one state can solve this problem for itself. It requires continuous and concerted action by all of us,” Tinubu emphasized.