Fear of Xenophobic Backlash as Police-Backed Operation Targets Ghanaian Investment in Abuja
By Primetime Reports
Fresh concerns over Nigeria’s investment climate and the country’s reputation as a safe destination for foreign investors have emerged following a controversial operation involving armed policemen at a Ghanaian-owned investment in the Federal Capital Territory.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, June 29, at the Gallery Clubhouse located within River Park Estate, Abuja, has sparked widespread public outrage after a video of the operation circulated on social media.
Eyewitnesses alleged that armed policemen, said to be attached to the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) of the Nigeria Police Force, escorted a group of men to the recreational facility, where they reportedly excavated part of the entrance to the property.
Witnesses reported that armed officers prevented staff members from questioning or interfering with the operation. They further alleged that when asked to identify the authority under which the operation was being carried out, the officers declined to provide any explanation.
The incident has since generated heated debate, with many Nigerians expressing concern over what they described as an invasion of private property and a disturbing use of security personnel in a civil dispute.
The viral video captured a tense exchange between one of the armed men and a staff member who was recording the operation on his mobile phone.
In the footage, the officer repeatedly demanded that the recording be stopped, insisting that filming him without his consent amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.
“Why are you videoing me? I am giving you a lawful order; stop videoing me. The whole world will see this video. You can’t video me without my permission. You are infringing on my rights. The rights you have as a Nigerian or as a visitor are the same as the rights I have. You have no right to video me. The armed man was heard saying, “You started videoing me the moment I arrived.”
Despite several attempts by the staff member to explain his actions, the officer repeatedly interrupted him and advised him to channel any complaints through the police hierarchy rather than record the incident.
“The reason for recording is because it is an illegal action to be destroying the place,” the staff member eventually responded.
The armed officer, however, maintained that his rights had been infringed upon, stating, “You can do that to a layman policeman, not a wise man like me.” “I know you are videoing me,” before directing that everyone involved should proceed to the police station.
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The incident has heightened fears among residents and business stakeholders, many of whom warned that the manner in which the operation was carried out could damage Nigeria’s image among foreign investors.
One of the eyewitnesses, Mr. Sajay Omagbemi, called on the inspector-general of police and the federal government to conduct a transparent investigation into the incident.
According to him, allowing the matter to go unresolved could send the wrong signal to the international business community and undermine confidence in Nigeria as an investment destination.
“We are calling on the inspector-general of police and the federal government to ensure that justice is done and the law is allowed to take its full course. This matter should not be swept under the carpet because it involves a foreign investor.
“We do not want anything that could create the impression of hostility towards foreign investments or lead to the kind of xenophobic tensions witnessed in South Africa. Nigeria has always been known as a welcoming nation, and we must protect that reputation,” he said.
Several other concerned Nigerians also appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to immediately order a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the operation.
They argued that a transparent resolution of the matter would reassure both local and international investors of the federal government’s commitment to the rule of law, protection of private investments, and respect for due process.
The concerned citizens also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene to ensure that all issues surrounding the incident are comprehensively investigated and that anyone found to have acted outside the law is held accountable.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain the reaction of the management of River Park Estate regarding the identities of the officers involved and the circumstances surrounding the operation were unsuccessful.
Similarly, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the viral video or clarify the role played by the officers seen at the scene.
The incident has continued to generate public interest, with many observers insisting that a prompt and transparent investigation is necessary to preserve public confidence in law enforcement institutions and protect Nigeria’s reputation as a country that welcomes foreign investment.
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