A Chinese woman living in Nigeria has made a public, tearful appeal for help following a bitter dispute with her former Nigerian domestic worker, whom she accuses of serious misconduct including theft and physical assault.
Allegations of Theft and Assault in Ikeja
The incident, which the Chinese national claims occurred on October 29, 2025, in the Ikeja area of Lagos State, involved her then-nanny. Through a video posted on TikTok, the distressed woman alleged that the nanny stole items worth millions of Naira from her. She further accused the domestic worker of not only refusing to admit to the theft but also of physically attacking her, resulting in scratches and injuries.
"She hit me and scratched me," the lady recounted in her emotional video. Despite having what she described as clear video evidence of the theft, the Chinese expatriate stated she initially chose a path of mercy. She decided against two major actions: reporting the incident to the Nigerian police, which could have led to severe legal consequences, and blacklisting the nanny within the close-knit Chinese community in Nigeria to prevent her from future employment.
The Breaking Point: Online Trolling and a Final Ultimatum
The situation escalated when the Chinese lady discovered that her former employee had begun creating and posting videos about her on social media platforms. Even after blocking the nanny, the lady's family continued to alert her about the posts, which they claimed were aimed at gaining followers.
This persistent online trolling became the final straw. The lady issued a three-day ultimatum to the ex-nanny. She demanded a sincere apology and the immediate deletion of all related social media content. Failure to comply, she warned, would result in her releasing the alleged theft evidence to the public and pursuing formal legal action with the police.
"If I haven't received an apology and seen her delete all her videos within three days, I will post a video of us catching her stealing and call the police," she declared. The woman also shared a provocative quote she attributed to the nanny during a confrontation with her family: "Do you know who you're talking to? Chinese people can't do anything to us locals!"
Mixed Reactions from the Nigerian Online Community
The viral outcry has stirred a range of responses from Nigerian netizens. While many expressed sympathy and condemnation of the nanny's alleged actions, others called for a more balanced view and pointed out potential translation nuances.
Some commenters defended the character of Chinese employers in Nigeria. User LANI commented, "So sorry I don't know why people are like this... they're the nicest I have seen." Similarly, MAMA shared positive personal experiences working with Chinese nationals.
However, user shin dara offered a different perspective, suggesting a possible mistranslation and clarifying that the worker was a housekeeper, not a nanny, and that the argument began over misplaced earrings. The user also claimed the Chinese lady had been generous, increasing the worker's salary and offering other benefits.
Other reactions urged seriousness and empathy. kris noted, "Why are you all making jokes in the comment section? if it was the other way around, the comments would be way different." Samuelz added, "She’s here pouring her heart out and we are laughing... I’m seeing someone who’s hurt. Sorry our love."
The case highlights the complexities of cross-cultural employer-employee relationships, the power of social media in airing disputes, and the quest for justice in the digital age. The outcome of the three-day ultimatum remains to be seen.
