In the wake of rising national anxieties over banditry, terrorism and cross-border criminal infiltration, Ogun State has once again leaned on the steady hands of Governor Dapo Abiodun, who has emerged as one of the few subnational leaders demonstrating clarity, restraint and firm strategy in the face of chaos. At a time when panic spread faster than facts, and when digital manipulation threatened to distort public perception, Governor Abiodun’s response underscored why Ogun continues to enjoy a reputation for stability even in turbulent moments.
Addressing journalists after a high-level security meeting in Iperu, Abiodun announced the introduction of a comprehensive security protocol, beginning with the mandatory documentation of all foreign nationals working with multinational companies in the state. This initiative, long overdue at the national level, is a testament to his administration’s commitment to anticipate and neutralize threats before they take root. In the last few days, security operatives arrested about 70 foreigners from Niger Republic, Sudan and Chad who were unable to explain their presence or provide valid documentation—an operation made possible by the governor’s insistence on tightened internal monitoring. These individuals, many of whom could not communicate in English, are now being processed by the Nigeria Immigration Service to determine their status and intention.
Abiodun reiterated that Ogun, as Nigeria’s industrial capital and a daily recipient of millions of commuters from within and outside the country, cannot afford laxity. He directed that all first-time non-indigenes entering the state must be screened by their community leaders to verify their means of livelihood and reasons for relocation. This, he maintained, is not an attempt to criminalize migration but a necessary step to protect the peace and prosperity the state has built over the years. The governor’s approach reflects a balance of firmness and pragmatism—ensuring security without shutting the door on legitimate residents or workers.
Even more telling of his leadership was the manner in which Ogun confronted the recent wave of AI-generated threat videos that had unsettled parts of the public. While many states were still grappling with the implications of synthetic media, Ogun quickly deployed its cybercrime unit to investigate the viral footage of a masked pseudo-militant issuing threats to communities and educational institutions. The near-perfect visual mimicry initially caused concern, but investigators soon confirmed that the figure in the videos never existed—he was a digital phantom, created using artificial intelligence, recycled from an older clip targeted at a completely different region months earlier. The steady and methodical handling of the situation prevented mass panic and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the public not just from physical threats, but from psychological manipulation as well.
The governor disclosed that the security meeting also focused on monitoring scavengers and scrap dealers, noting that while the profession itself is legitimate, recent intelligence suggests that some operators are being exploited as conduits for criminal information gathering. Law enforcement officers have been directed to scrutinize these groups more closely, engage their associations, and ensure no cluster becomes a cover for unlawful activity. In the same breath, Abiodun ordered the police to immediately clear out enclaves such as “Zanga” in Ijebu-Ode and similar settlements suspected of harbouring miscreants, warning that properties used for criminal operations would now be liable to forfeiture.
As part of the renewed strategy, forest reserves and mining sites are to come under heightened surveillance, given their history as potential hideouts for kidnappers and illegal miners acting under the cover of legitimate operations. The governor emphasized that illegal mining activities will no longer be tolerated and that his administration is working with security agencies to flush out criminal elements from these spaces. He also cautioned traditional rulers, particularly Obas and Baales, to desist from allocating government land to unknown persons without clearance, warning that such actions undermine the state’s security posture and would attract accountability measures.
Throughout the unfolding events—physical arrests, digital manipulations, and coordinated security reviews—Abiodun maintained a calm but assertive tone. He urged residents to support security agencies by being vigilant, reporting suspicious activities, and participating actively in community policing. He applauded the synergy among security agencies in the state and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for stabilising the national environment and supporting joint rescue operations in recent kidnap cases in Niger and Kwara states.
What stands out is not just the breadth of measures announced, but the governor’s ability to navigate both real and artificial threats with a maturity that has become characteristic of his administration. In a climate where fear can be engineered on a laptop and spread to millions within minutes, Ogun’s response shows a government that understands the evolving nature of security—one that protects citizens not just from danger, but from the illusion of danger as well.
At the centre of this stability is a governor who refuses to be reactive. Abiodun’s blend of foresight, firm directives, and deliberate calm has once again positioned Ogun State as a model of responsible governance in a digital age rife with misinformation. Under his watch, the state continues to reinforce its security architecture, strengthen community vigilance, and adapt to new realities with a level of composure that many other regions can only attempt to emulate