Ogun Cracks Down on Chinese Firms over Assault on Officials
The Ogun State Government has vowed to prosecute workers of five Chinese-owned companies accused of violently attacking its enforcement teams during an operation in the Ogere axis of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.
The incident occurred after officials of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA), backed by law enforcement agents, attempted to enforce environmental regulations at DL Plastics Limited, Dyschenghan Plastics, SH Agricultural Limited, Beautiful Fibre Limited, and Jincaicai Nigeria Limited.
According to state authorities, workers at the factories allegedly resisted the enforcement, leaving government officials and law enforcement agents with bodily injuries that required medical treatment.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and Managing Director of OGWAMA, Abayomi Hunye, described the attack as unacceptable, stressing that the state would no longer tolerate what he called “reckless defiance” of its laws by corporate organisations.
“This was not only to prevent them from carrying out their lawful duties but also with the intent to harm them,” Hunye said, condemning the act as “barbaric.”
He added that the confrontation was the culmination of six months of efforts to get the companies to respond to official queries on alleged environmental infractions.
Notices were issued, and seals were placed on their gates, but officials claimed the companies broke them repeatedly.
Hunye warned that beyond sealing the firms, individuals involved in the assault would face legal consequences.
“Anyone caught will be prosecuted under the law of the land,” he stated.
The clash has raised questions about corporate responsibility and the treatment of Nigerian regulatory authorities by foreign investors.
The state government emphasized that while it welcomes business investments, compliance with environmental and legal standards remains non-negotiable.
In recent months, Ogun has intensified enforcement against erring companies. Six other firms were sealed earlier in May over similar environmental violations.
