89 Northerners in Viral Video Recruited to Work at Dangote Refinery—Police

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has called for calm over a viral video showing some young persons from Katsina State seen around Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State.

In a statement on Friday, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Mr Benjamin Hundeyin, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), said residents of the metropolis have nothing to worry about because the persons seen in the visual were recruited to work at the Dangote Refinery.

According to him, the contractor responsible for their recruitment and the refinery’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) both confirmed the arrangement.

He stated that the labourers have been cleared to reside and work within the $20 billion oil facility after all necessary checks were conducted them.

“Upon receipt of the information on May 14, 2025, officers from the Command immediately deployed to the location to ascertain the facts.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the young men in question, 89 in number, had arrived from Katsina State and were recruited to work as labourers at the Dangote Refinery in Lekki.

“The contractor working with the refinery appeared before the police and confirmed that he had personally sourced and brought the labourers from Katsina for legitimate employment purposes.

“The individuals were thoroughly searched, and no incriminating items were found in their possession.

“Furthermore, each person properly identified themselves and presented their National Identification Numbers (NINs), which were duly verified,” Mr Hundeyin stated, assuring that, “The command remains committed to maintaining law and order across Lagos State and will continue to respond promptly to all matters relating to public safety.”