The Nigerian Police has arrested a Chinese couple for allegedly locking up their Nigerian employees for four months.
At least eight domestic workers were rescued when officers of Utako Divisional Police Station stormed the premises of the Chines couple.
Following a complaint made by a resident on a live radio show to the Human Rights radio station, Police immediately swung into action and raided the residence in Jabi, Abuja, arresting them and their domestic employees in the process.
According to footage shown by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, the victims claimed they had been locked up in the apartment since February.
The domestic workers said they were not allowed to leave the building and were refused to go for treatment when one of them took ill.
“When I was seriously sick, I asked these people (Chinese employers) to open the gate for me, but they refused until I became very angry before they opened the door. I know my life may be at risk but I don’t mind, let the world know what is happening.
“They told us that if someone was going out, he could help buy something for us, but when this man (referring to a colleague) went out to buy sachet water, they deducted his salary. What do they want us to do?
“We had to stay in the room and talk to people through the windows. They didn’t give us food; apart from the salary, they didn’t give us anything; they even cut our salaries.
“The driver of the Chinese, who simply identified himself as Alex, said he and the seven others had been working against their will for the couple since the outbreak of COVID-19 in February.
“They never allowed us to go out since February; if any of us went out and they know, a certain percentage of the person’s salary would be deducted.
“Even on Monday when this man (pointing at one of his co-workers) sent someone to buy water, N500 was deducted from his salary that has yet to be paid.”
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