The Ogun State government sealed five Chinese companies and arrested several officials for allegedly assaulting state and law enforcement officers.
The affected firms along the Ogere axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway included DL Plastics, Dyschenghan Plastics, SH Agricultural, Beautiful Fibre, and Jincaicai Nigeria.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and OGWAMA Managing Director, Abayomi Hunye, said the companies consistently violated environmental regulations.
He stated that the firms committed offences such as improper waste disposal, open burning of waste, and refusal to engage recognised government waste collectors.
“We have pursued this case for the past six months. We sent letters and invited them to discuss their violations, but they refused to respond. Our officials also visited them repeatedly, but they denied them access,” Hunye said.
Officials sealed the premises last Thursday by locking the gates, but the companies allegedly broke the government seals and chains.
“When we sealed them, they removed the order and broke the government’s chains,” he added.
Hunye explained that officials later returned with law enforcement officers to re-enforce the order, but company workers attacked them, leaving several injured.
“Our officials and the officers were assaulted, mobbed, and taken to hospital. They obstructed lawful duties and attempted to cause harm,” he said.
He condemned the incident as barbaric, stressing that the firms had become both an environmental nuisance and a threat to governance.
“Their conduct shows disregard for the law. Assaulting state and law enforcement officers carries grave consequences,” Hunye warned.
He further cautioned that the government would not tolerate foreign firms hiding under the guise of investment to perpetrate illegality.
“Any company or individual found guilty will face prosecution under Nigerian law,” he declared.