The Chinese national in a viral video giving Mobile Police (MOPOL) officers cash has said the money was a form of food subsidy to the officers and not a bribe.
A Chinese national, identified as Mr. Jiang, has apologized after a viral video showed him handing cash to Mobile Police (MOPOL) officers in Ogun State, insisting the money was a “food subsidy” and not a bribe. Jiang explained that the gesture was a token of appreciation for the officers’ security services during a Chinese delegation’s investment visit. “To thank them for their efforts, I gave them food subsidies as a gesture of gratitude,” he said, clarifying that the act was misinterpreted due to cultural differences. The police also defended the officers, stating the money was a goodwill gesture from the mining company.
The video, which sparked public outrage, showed Jiang and his family distributing N5,000 each to officers attached to AKK-Frontier Risk Management Nigeria Limited in Sagamu. Critics accused the police of unethical conduct, but Jiang maintained the exchange was innocent. “The atmosphere was very friendly and contained no ill intentions,” he said, blaming the backlash on his team’s unfamiliarity with local customs. He vowed to continue promoting Chinese investment in Nigeria despite the controversy.
Jiang’s apology comes amid growing scrutiny over foreign investors’ interactions with Nigerian security personnel. He urged Chinese nationals to “learn about local culture and laws” to avoid similar incidents. Meanwhile, police authorities have downplayed the incident, emphasizing that no misconduct was involved. The case highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and ethical standards in Nigeria’s security sector.
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