Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced a new plan to document foreign nationals living and working in the state, especially those employed by multinational companies. The governor said the measure has become necessary in order to strengthen security and prevent criminal elements from infiltrating communities across the state.
Governor Abiodun made the announcement on Monday in Iperu after a security meeting held in response to growing concerns about banditry, terrorism and other forms of violent crime across the country. He warned that Ogun cannot afford to be complacent, especially because it is a major industrial hub that receives more than five million commuters and visitors every day.
Ogun State is home to some of Nigeria’s largest industrial estates, including Agbara, Ota, Sagamu and Ibafo. Because many companies operate there, the state attracts a large daily population of workers, traders and transporters from neighboring Lagos and other regions. This rapid movement of people has made security management more challenging.
In recent years, Nigeria has faced increased security threats, such as kidnappings, terrorism, bandit attacks and the infiltration of communities by undocumented foreigners. Several states have also reported concerns about criminals disguising themselves as workers, herders, miners, scavengers or artisans.
Governor Abiodun said the new steps are meant to prevent such problems from spreading into Ogun.
During the briefing, Governor Abiodun revealed that security agencies in the state recently arrested about 70 foreign nationals from Niger Republic, Sudan and Chad. According to him, the individuals could not speak English or give any clear explanation of their mission in Ogun.
“Within the last three to four days, law enforcement agencies have arrested about 70 persons from Chad and Sudan who cannot even speak English and cannot explain what they are doing here,” he said. He added that the state would hand them over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for proper processing.
The arrest heightened fears that criminal groups may be trying to take advantage of Ogun’s open borders and heavy commercial traffic. Many of the arrested persons reportedly claimed to be job seekers, but law enforcement officials said they had no documentation, no identifiable employers and no contact addresses.
To address the problem, Governor Abiodun announced that Ogun would begin a formal process of documenting foreign nationals working in factories, farms, construction sites and other establishments. He said companies must cooperate by supplying names, identities, roles and residential information of all their foreign workers.
The governor also directed security agencies to intensify screening of new arrivals into the state, especially in border communities and industrial areas where undocumented workers are known to enter.
He urged leaders of non-indigene communities—including Hausa, Igbo, Fulani, and other ethnic associations—to be more vigilant and to quickly report suspicious newcomers.
According to him, “We must know the purpose and means of livelihood of new entrants so we can prevent criminal infiltration.”
Scavengers, Scrap Dealers and Illegal Miners Under Watch
Governor Abiodun also raised concerns about the activities of scavengers and scrap dealers in the state. He explained that although many of them operate genuine businesses, some have turned their operations into cover for stealing, spying or supporting criminal networks.
“Scavengers have become a growing security concern,” he said, noting that security agencies will now monitor their activities more closely and engage the groups to ensure they are not exploited by criminals.
The governor further disclosed that some illegal miners in the state were acting as fronts for criminals hiding in forest areas. He directed security agencies to move into mining sites and forest zones to flush out illegal operators.
Illegal mining has been linked to insecurity in several parts of Nigeria, including Zamfara, Osun and Niger States, where criminals use remote mining camps as hideouts. The Ogun government said it will not allow such patterns to spread to its own forests.
Abiodun ordered the police to immediately clear out criminal hideouts in areas like the Zanga axis of Ijebu-Ode and other known enclaves. He warned that any property used to shelter criminals or support illegal activity would be seized by the state.
The governor also spoke about a recent security scare at Ajebo in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area. He said security officers had already profiled the settlement and found that the people living there posed no threat. Still, the state will intensify patrols and surveillance, especially around forest reserves, to ensure criminals do not use them as operational bases.
In a strong message to community leaders, Governor Abiodun warned traditional rulers—Obas and Baales—against allocating land to unknown persons. He said any traditional ruler who gives out land without proper background checks, and thereby contributes to security breaches, would be held accountable.
“When you allocate land to people we cannot identify, you expose the entire community,” he said.
Governor Abiodun emphasized that security cannot be left to police, soldiers or other agencies alone. He urged residents to report suspicious movements, strange visitors, abandoned vehicles and any unusual activity in their neighbourhoods.
“Security is not the responsibility of security agents alone. We must work with them. We must report anything suspicious so law enforcement can respond promptly. We must be observant and be our brother’s keeper,” he said.
The governor also promised that the state government would continue providing patrol vehicles, communication tools and other logistics to security agencies, noting that the cooperation among security outfits has helped Ogun maintain relative peace compared to other states.
Governor Abiodun commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his efforts to stabilize the economy and improve national security. He also praised federal security agencies for the swift rescue of kidnapped victims in Niger and Kwara States, saying such responses give citizens confidence that government is not sleeping on its responsibilities.
Ogun’s new security steps reflect a broader trend among Nigerian states, many of which are adopting tougher measures to prevent criminals from taking shelter within their borders.
