Emmanuel Adigwe
The police have stated that a Chinese couple is presently in their custody for allegedly locking up eight Nigerian employees in their apartment for the past four months.
The spokesman, Federal Capital Territory Police Command, DSP Anjuguri Manzah, who confirmed the incident, stated that investigation has since commenced into the case.
According to reports, the Utako Divisional Police Station, nabbed the Chinese couple at their apartment in Jabi area following a tip-off by a resident who reported the incident.
A footage by ICIR showed the victims saying that they had been locked up in the apartment since February.
A lady, who did not disclose her name, said the domestic workers were prevented from leaving the building and that the Chinese couple did not allow her to go for treatment when she took ill.
She stated: “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.”
Also, the driver of the Chinese, Alex, said he and the seven others have been working against their will since the outbreak of Covid-19 in February.
Alex stated: “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.”