The Lagos State Government has called on migrants to demonstrate diligence and patience to build meaningful lives in the state, warning that impatience often leads to involvement in illicit activities.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, delivered this message during the Quarterly Meeting with the Chairman and Members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) held in Ikeja.
In a statement, Salu-Hundeyin noted that Lagos experiences an exceptionally high rate of internal migration, with citizens from across Nigeria—and even neighboring countries—flocking to the state in search of better opportunities.
“It’s not only our northern brothers who come in large numbers. We have many from the East, from Ogun State, even from Benin Republic pretending to be from Badagry due to shared names and languages,” she said. “We also see an influx of Nigeriens who, after arriving through Kano, head straight to Lagos. Some of the individuals we assume are Nigerians are not.”
According to the SSG, Lagos’ reputation as a land of opportunity continues to attract thousands who believe that hard work guarantees success. However, Salu-Hundeyin expressed concern that many newcomers, driven by desperation and impatience, resort to criminal activities instead of legitimate means of livelihood.
“Lagos is blessed. If you work hard here, you can make it. But unfortunately, many are not patient enough to follow the right path, creating security challenges for the state,” she added.
Highlighting the link between abandoned properties and security risks, Salu-Hundeyin revealed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had directed officials to identify such structures and verify their ownership. She stressed that the state would enforce legal provisions allowing it to take over properties abandoned for extended periods to curb their use by criminals.
“These abandoned buildings are a security threat. We must take proactive steps to address this,” she said.
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Supporting the government’s stance, the Chairman of the PCRC Lagos Chapter, Apostle Kehinde Showemimo, emphasized that many migrants arrive in Lagos without proper accommodation, often squatting in abandoned structures. He noted that some criminals also use such buildings as hideouts after committing offenses.
Showemimo urged the government to enforce existing laws on abandoned properties and pledged the PCRC’s continued collaboration with the police to maintain security across the state.
