The Ogun State Government has sealed off five Chinese-owned companies and arrested several officials following allegations of environmental violations and the assault of state and law enforcement officers.
The affected companies—DL Plastics, Dyschenghan Plastics, SH Agricultural, Beautiful Fibre, and Jincaicai Nigeria—are located along the Ogere axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and Managing Director of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA), Abayomi Hunye, stated that the firms were shut down after persistently violating environmental regulations, including improper waste disposal, open burning of waste, and failure to engage government-recognised waste collectors.
“We have been on this case for the past six months,” Hunye said. “We wrote to them, invited them to meetings, and even visited their premises multiple times, but they refused to respond or cooperate with our officials.”
Assault on government officials
According to Hunye, the companies escalated their defiance last Thursday when state officials sealed their premises by locking the gates. However, the companies allegedly broke the government seals and chains placed on the gates.
“Our officials returned with law enforcement officers to enforce the seal order, but they were attacked by company workers,” he revealed. “The mob assaulted both our officials and security personnel, leaving several of them injured and requiring medical attention.”
He described the attack as a blatant obstruction of lawful duties and an affront to state authority.
Government’s response and warning
Condemning the incident as “barbaric and unacceptable,” Hunye said the companies had not only become environmental hazards but were also undermining the rule of law.
“What is even more disturbing is their audacity—not only to flout environmental laws but also to physically attack those enforcing them,” he said. “Such behaviour threatens public safety and governance.”
He warned that the state government would not tolerate foreign or local firms operating outside the law under the guise of investment.
“Ogun State is open for business, but we will not fold our arms while some companies hide under the cloak of investment to perpetrate illegality,” Hunye stated. “Any individual or company, regardless of nationality, found violating the law will be prosecuted to the full extent of Nigerian law.”
