Residents of parts of Kaduna and Ogun states have expressed concern with the increasing number of strangers thronging the states.
In Kaduna, commercial motorcyclists operating in communities such as Barnawa, Narayi, Angwan Maigero, Sabo, Angwan Gimbiya and Television Garage are increasing with leaps and bounds, amid prevailing security concerns.
Speaking with our correspondent, Bukola Wahab, a resident of Angwa Maigero area of Kaduna, said many residents had become uneasy with the increasing presence of unfamiliar commercial motorcyclists in major locations within Kaduna metropolis.
According to her, discussions about the development have become common among residents, including on social media platforms, where questions are being raised about the identity and origin of some of the new arrivals.
Similarly, Grace Ashafa said the concerns stemmed from encounters with riders who appeared not to know popular landmarks and routes within the city.
She cited instances where passengers were picked up in Barnawa by commercial motorcyclists who struggled to identify well-known destinations, a development she said had heightened suspicion among residents already worried about security.
Samaila Idris, another resident, also said there were fears that the newcomers could be linked to criminal elements, while others believe they are simply migrants seeking economic opportunities.
Elsewhere in Ogun State, the influx of undocumented able-bodied youths from destinations yet-to-be-identified has continued to create apprehension among residents.
Reacting to the concerns, Kaduna State police spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the command was aware of complaints from residents and was working closely with community leaders, traditional rulers and local security structures to monitor the situation.
“The community has lodged complaints regarding them. But it is not something we can just stop because somebody is moving from one place to another. What we usually do is ask them to liaise with local security, traditional rulers and the divisional police officers responsible for those jurisdictions. If they see new faces, they should profile them and promptly report them to the nearest security agency,” he said.
In Ogun State, there is particular reference to the June 1, 2026 attack at the Imagbon in Mowe axis of Obafemi – Owode local government area of the state, where bandits killed two soldiers and four civilians. Residents have renewed calls to the state government and security agencies to step up surveillance across the state to prevent any surprise attack.
The call is premised on the noticeable movement of strangers, who in their hundreds, thronged the state under the cover of the night through long trucks and other heavy duty vehicles in convoys.
While the number and routes of these strangers who entered the state on foot through the forests are difficult to ascertain, it is however, clear that those who entered on roads do so through two major roads of Ibada – Lagos Expressway and the Ibadan – Ijebu-Ode highway.
Five major terminus including Ogere Toll Gate and Mowe – Ibafo communities, both along the Ibadan – Lagos Expressway; Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu and Sango – Ota along the Abeokuta- Lagos Expressway have so far been identified as their points of stay, before their departure to the hinterland for their intended missions.
Some residents and observers of the strange influx who spoke with our correspondent these suspected individuals always find comfort in mosques and uncompleted buildings where they eat, pray and sleep.
The chairman of the Community Development Association in Mowe, Temitayo Elegbede, said their presence had heightened fears among residents who believe that they are tools for terrorism banditry in their communities.
“It is obvious that they are strangers because they neither speak, nor understood our language. Even some of them whom you think should understand pidgin English, don’t. You find them riding “okada” and selling biscuits and cigarettes. But the communities know that such is deceit.
“There were periods when police officers at the Mowe Divisional Headquarters had to intercept trailers conveying them and interrogated them. But at the end of the day, the police would tell the community associations that they lacked the powers to stop Nigerians from moving around in the country.”
Elegbede, who blamed the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) for failing to carry out raids across the state to be able to ascertain non-Nigerians, however, pleaded with the state government and relevant security agencies to step up surveillance so as to be able to nip in the bud, any possible attack on communities.
Corps Commander of the Ogun State Security Network Agency code named “Amotekun”, Brig. Alade Adedigba (rtd) said criminality has no colouration or tribe, but the most important thing is for all communities to partner security agencies and the state government to ensure safety.
