70 Foreigners Arrested, Scavengers and Miners Under Tight Security Watch in Ogun
Ogun State Governor, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, on Monday, 24th November, 2025, unveiled a comprehensive security strategy aimed at safeguarding the State amid rising banditry, terrorism, and other heinous crimes in parts of the Country.
Governor Abiodun announced that all undocumented foreign Nationals working with multinational companies in Ogun would now be properly documented. New non-indigenous residents entering the State for the first time will also undergo rigorous screening by Community leaders to ascertain their purpose and means of livelihood.
Addressing Journalists at Iperu after a security meeting, Abiodun said the measures were part of proactive steps to protect lives and property across the state. He disclosed that in recent days, about 70 foreigners, mostly from Niger, Chad, and Sudan, had been arrested for failing to provide clear reasons for their presence.
“The law enforcement Agencies have arrested, within the last three to four days, about 70 persons from Chad and Sudan who cannot even speak English and cannot explain what they are doing here. We are going to process these individuals with the Nigeria Immigration Service. We will also be calling on our non-indigene communities to be more vigilant so that we know who is here and why they are here,” he said.
Governor Abiodun also expressed concern over the activities of scavengers, noting that they now pose a greater security threat than before. “We discussed the issue of scavengers who have become more of a threat. Law enforcement agencies will pay particular attention to them. We will engage them to ensure they are not being used to perpetrate crimes in the state,” he added.
The meeting, he noted, was convened in response to the Country’s current security climate. As Nigeria’s industrial capital, Ogun receives more than five million daily commuters, making heightened vigilance essential.
Abiodun directed Police and other security Agencies to immediately move into Areas such as “Zanga” in Ijebu-Ode and similar enclaves across the state to clear them. He warned that properties used by criminals would henceforth be seized by the Government.
Speaking on the recent incident at Ajebo in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, he said Security Officers had visited the settlement to verify that its occupants posed no threat. He also assured that the State’s forest reserves would be thoroughly secured to prevent criminals from using them as hideouts.
The Governor further revealed that discussions at the meeting extensively covered the activities of scrap dealers and scavengers, who may now be aiding criminal networks. They will be properly engaged and monitored to ensure they do not facilitate crimes.
On illegal mining, Abiodun noted that some miners operate as miscreants and confirmed that the Government is collaborating with security agencies to flush out criminals from mining sites and forest reserves.
He appealed to residents to actively support community policing efforts by providing credible information to security agencies. “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.
Governor Abiodun assured that his administration would continue to provide necessary logistics to Security Agencies and cautioned Obas and Baales against allocating Government land to strangers. Any traditional ruler found culpable would be held accountable for undermining the State’s interest.
He commended Security Agencies for their cooperation and synergy, which he said has contributed significantly to the peace Ogun currently enjoys. The Governor also lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for stabilizing the economy and praised him and Security Agencies for the prompt rescue of kidnapped victims in Niger and Kwara States.
