09/07/2026
Statement from Bao Bao House
Today, 9 July 2026, we had a concerning experience at our store.
Three individuals arrived at our premises in plain clothes and identified themselves as officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service. None of them were in uniform. They informed our cashier that the owners needed to come outside immediately and stated that the shop would be sealed if we did not comply.
When we arrived, the officers specifically requested my mother’s passport. For context, my mother is a naturalized Nigerian citizen of Taiwanese origin. She has lived in Nigeria for 40 years and has been a Nigerian citizen for over two decades.
The officers requested a printed hard copy of her passport. We explained that we did not have a printer on-site and asked for one hour to print the document. That request was refused.
We then asked whether we could submit the document directly to their office and requested an official letter or written instruction indicating where it should be delivered. That request was also declined.
After further discussion, the officers eventually agreed to receive the passport electronically via AirDrop, which we immediately provided. After receiving it, they left without providing any further explanation, documentation, or indication that any issue existed.
Bao Bao House is a Nigerian-owned, Nigerian-registered business that is committed to complying with all applicable laws and cooperating with legitimate government authorities.
However, this interaction has left us with serious questions. In particular, we are struggling to understand why my mother was specifically singled out. Given that she is a Nigerian citizen who happens to be of Taiwanese origin, the experience has left us wondering whether her appearance influenced the encounter. We sincerely hope that was not the case, but it is difficult to understand why she, in particular, was the focus of the visit.
Is it standard procedure for officers conducting official visits to appear in plain clothes without presenting any ID in Nigeria?
Is it standard procedure to threaten to seal a business before issuing any formal notice or written request in Nigeria?
(Cont’d in the comments)
