The Lagos State Government has commenced an investigation into the recent employment of 89 labourers from Katsina State by the Dangote Refinery situated in the Ibeju-Lekki area of the state. The development follows a viral video that surfaced online earlier this month, showing a group of young men from the northern state arriving in Lagos and gathering near the refinery, raising eyebrows and sparking widespread public discourse and security concerns both on the ground and across social media platforms.
Amid growing speculation, the Lagos State Police Command swiftly addressed the matter, dispelling fears of insecurity and confirming that the individuals in question had been legitimately recruited as labourers to work within the Dangote Refinery facility. According to the command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who issued an official statement via his X handle on Friday, May 16, 2025, operatives were immediately deployed to the location to verify the claims and ascertain the circumstances surrounding the arrival of the group.
Hundeyin confirmed that a total of 89 individuals were identified, all of whom had been recruited from Katsina State. He stated that a contractor working with the refinery had appeared before the police and disclosed that he was responsible for hiring and transporting the men to Lagos for the purpose of engaging them in lawful work at the refinery site. According to the police, the refinery’s Chief Security Officer also corroborated the contractor’s account.
During the routine security checks, all individuals were thoroughly searched, and no incriminating materials were found in their possession. Each labourer was able to present valid means of identification, including their National Identification Numbers, which were verified and recorded by the authorities.
Despite the police’s clarification, the development has not gone without controversy. The Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by Chairperson Comrade Funmi Sessi, expressed strong displeasure over what it described as a violation of labour laws and a disregard for the host community’s employment rights. Sessi criticised the recruitment of unskilled workers from outside the state while unemployed youths within Ibeju-Lekki and other parts of Lagos continue to seek similar job opportunities. The labour leader also threatened industrial action if such practices persist.
Reacting to the situation, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, confirmed on Sunday that the state government is actively investigating the issue. He urged members of the public to remain calm, adding that relevant security agencies are fully aware of the matter and are conducting their independent inquiries.
“We are investigating the matter thoroughly. Security agencies are already involved, and it would be appropriate to allow them complete their investigations without interference,” Omotoso stated.
The development has once again brought to the fore conversations around local employment quotas, host community inclusion in major industrial projects, and adherence to federal labour regulations. As the state government continues its probe, many residents await clarity on whether due process was followed in the recruitment and what measures will be taken to ensure local communities are not sidelined in the future.
