The Chinese supermarket in Abuja, which has been at the center of a controversy, is reported to have been abandoned by its owner, Cindy Liu Bei, and her family to avoid being invited by the government. The supermarket gained notoriety after reports emerged of its discriminatory treatment of Nigerians, which sparked outrage among the public. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), a government agency, made Cindy Liu Bei and her family’s escape public through a statement issued by Boladale Adeyinka, the Director of Surveillance and Investigation.

Speaking after she led FCCPC officials to seal off the premises, Adeyinka said, “The essence of the surveillance and investigation that we conducted today is to verify the allegations and the content of that viral video.

“On arrival, we noticed that the supermarket which is right behind me, was sealed and padlocked externally. Inquiries have shown that yes, as this morning this supermarket was open and people were here.

“CCTV footage also shows that in the morning, two vehicles departed from these very premises allegedly containing the owner of the supermarket, whom we have been able to identify by name and we have her contact details.”

She added: “Now the summons of course since she’s not around and the place is locked, is to serve notice on her to appear before the federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission by Wednesday.

“There are other regulatory tools to be deployed, if she fails to attend to this summon. The summons means that on entering into these premises they must see the summon because that is how they gain access to it.”