A Chinese man seen in a viral video giving money to Nigerian Mobile Police officers in Kaduna has denied allegations of bribery and explained the situation as a cultural gesture of appreciation. The incident, which quickly spread on social media, caused public concern and speculation about possible misconduct between the Chinese delegates and local law enforcement.
The video clip showed a group of Chinese nationals interacting with armed Mobile Police (MOPOL) officers. At one point, one of the Chinese individuals appeared to hand something—presumed to be money—to the officers. While there was no sound or clear context in the video, many Nigerians online concluded that the officers were being bribed.
In response to the uproar, Mr. Jiang, one of the Chinese men seen in the video, issued a formal statement on Friday to clarify the group’s actions. He insisted that the exchange was not a bribe, but a traditional expression of appreciation, and apologised for any misunderstanding the video may have caused.
Mr. Jiang, speaking on behalf of the Chinese group, said: “No money was given to the officers on any demand or request, there was no bribe, no illegal exchange but on good faith appreciating their professionalism. What you see in the video was a friendly and open interaction — nothing was done in secret and nothing inappropriate happened.”
According to the statement, the Chinese delegates were grateful for the officers’ professionalism during their visit and simply offered a token of appreciation in a culturally respectful manner. Jiang explained that it is common in Chinese tradition to express gratitude in small ways to people who have rendered good service or support.
“It’s a common Chinese tradition, where we come from, to show appreciation or kindness to people who are doing their jobs well — especially when they’ve been helpful or respectful,” he added. “That was all what it was: a kind gesture, not a payoff or alleged bribe.”
The video, which surfaced earlier in the week, drew sharp criticism from many Nigerians who interpreted it as evidence of corruption or improper conduct by the police. Some critics said it highlighted the ongoing issue of bribery in Nigeria’s law enforcement, while others questioned why foreign nationals would feel comfortable offering cash to security personnel.
“Why should a Chinese man be handing money to police officers in broad daylight like this?” one user tweeted. “This is why we keep complaining about the integrity of our system.”
Another commenter wrote, “Whether it was a bribe or not, there should be a clear rule for such interactions. Uniformed officers should not be seen accepting cash from anyone.”
The negative reactions prompted the Chinese group to speak out and clarify the situation.
Mr. Jiang admitted that the way the video was filmed and shared online had created a “serious misunderstanding.” He expressed regret over the public interpretation and offered a sincere apology to Nigerians.
“We also want to say this very sincerely — we are sorry about how this played out. Despite this experience, we remain committed to Nigeria,” he said in the statement.
He further appealed to the public to understand the cultural background behind the gesture and to avoid misjudging the action as an attempt to influence or bribe the officers.
In addition to the apology, Mr. Jiang also requested continued support from Nigerian security forces, noting that the presence of Mobile Police officers helps the Chinese delegation feel safe during their operations in the country.
“We humbly request for continued security operatives for the smooth sailing of our operations here in Nigeria as well as safety purposes,” he said.
“We feel secured and at home with them around. Our sincere apologies once again.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Police Force has not released an official statement regarding the incident. It remains unclear whether the officers seen in the video will face any disciplinary action or if the matter will be formally investigated.
However, sources within the police have suggested that a review of the incident may be underway, especially due to the public attention it has generated. A senior officer who preferred to remain anonymous said, “Once a video like this goes viral, the command usually looks into it to determine what happened, even if it turns out to be harmless.”
Following the release of the Chinese delegation’s statement, Nigerians online were divided. Some accepted the explanation, saying that not every money exchange is a bribe, especially if there was no request or demand.
One social media user said, “Let’s be honest, sometimes people give a token of appreciation without any bad intentions. If it was done openly and the police didn’t ask for it, maybe we’re overreacting.”
However, others maintained that police officers must avoid accepting money while in uniform, no matter the reason.
“Appreciation or not, officers must refuse cash gifts to avoid public suspicion. It’s a slippery slope,” another comment read.
This incident has added to the broader debate around public trust in Nigerian law enforcement. Over the years, there have been numerous reports of bribery and extortion involving police officers. While the police force continues to promise reforms and improved professionalism, such viral videos damage its public image.
