Workers at an Abuja-based Chinese supermarket raised alarm on Monday, reporting that the owner, Cindy Liu Bei, fled the premises with her family amid growing controversy.
The facility, situated at the China General Chamber of Commerce, faced scrutiny after implementing a discriminatory policy restricting entry to Chinese nationals only, sparking public outrage.
Officials from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) intervened, shutting down the supermarket following reports of the owner’s sudden departure captured on CCTV.
According to Channels TV, facility workers, primarily Nigerians, revealed that Bei fled at 8:26 am on Monday, leaving behind a void in the wake of mounting criticism.
Shaibu Sanusi, the complex’s facility manager, confirmed the discriminatory policy but noted that Nigerians within the complex were exempt from the restrictions.
Despite the closure, concerns lingered that individuals might be hiding inside to evade scrutiny from the consumer protection agency.