Owner of Abuja’s Chinese Supermarket Flees as FCCPC Raids Facility

The owner of an Abuja-based Chinese supermarket has fled the premises, according to the facility’s workers, predominantly Nigerian, following a raid by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). This event unfolded on Monday as the FCCPC conducted an operation at the China General Chamber of Commerce, where the supermarket is located.

Witnesses report that Cindy Liu Bei, the Chinese owner of the supermarket, fled with her family at approximately 8:26 a.m., as captured by the facility’s Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) camera. This occurred just before the FCCPC’s arrival, suggesting a coordinated escape.

The FCCPC raid comes amid a wave of public outrage over a discriminatory policy reportedly enforced by the supermarket. The policy, which sparked considerable criticism, allegedly restricted entry to the supermarket to Chinese nationals, barring Nigerians and other non-Chinese customers.

In response to the controversy, the FCCPC sealed the supermarket, indicating that some individuals might be hiding inside to evade confrontation with the authorities. However, Shaibu Sanusi, the facility manager of the complex, claims that while Nigerians from outside the complex are not permitted to shop at the supermarket, those who work within the complex do have access.