Insecurity: Ogun To Document Foreign Workers, Monitor Scavengers

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Monday disclosed that a robust security arrangement would be put in place to secure the state in view of the recent spike in the spate of banditry, terrorism and other heinous crimes in parts of the country.

As such, the governor noted that the state government will begin documenting all undocumented foreign nationals working with multinational companies operating in the state.

He also said new non-indigenes entering the state for the first time would undergo proper screening by their community leaders to ensure they are not used to orchestrate violence, stressing that the government must know their purpose and means of livelihood.

Addressing journalists at Iperu after a security meeting, Governor Abiodun said the measures form part of proactive steps to safeguard lives and property across the state.

He revealed that about 70 foreigners, mainly from the Niger Republic, Sudan and Chad, had been arrested in recent days after failing to provide clear explanations for their presence in the State.

“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 will process these individuals with the Nigerian 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.

The governor 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.

Governor Abiodun stated that the meeting was convened in response to the country’s current security climate, noting that as Nigeria’s industrial capital, Ogun receives more than five million daily commuters, making it crucial for the government to heighten its vigilance.

He directed the police to immediately move into areas such as “Zanga” in Ijebu-Ode and similar enclaves across the state and clear them out, warning that the government would henceforth seize properties used by criminals.

Speaking on the recent incident at Ajebo in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, the governor noted that security officers had visited the settlement to verify that its occupants pose 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 lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for stabilising the economy and commended him and security agencies for the prompt rescue of kidnapped victims in Niger and Kwara states.