Senator Gbenga Daniel issues a critical security warning as he links population strain and unregulated migration to rising risks in Nigeria’s Southwest

Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel has issued a critical security warning over what he described as the most pressing threat facing Nigeria’s Southwest region.

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Speaking in Lagos on Friday at the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on National Security Summit, organised in partnership with the Lagos State Government, he cautioned that unchecked population growth and unregulated migration now pose greater danger than external attacks.

Daniel, who chairs the Senate Committee on Navy and represents Ogun East, acknowledged that the Southwest has fared relatively well in navigating the broader national insecurity that has affected other regions.

He noted that the zone has demonstrated resilience despite the rise in insurgency, kidnapping and banditry elsewhere in the country.

He explained, however, that beneath this commendable stability lies what he called a ticking time bomb.

He attributed this risk to rapid urbanisation, economic expansion and the constant influx of migrants who arrive without documentation or any structured integration process.

The Senator warned that this demographic surge provides fertile ground for criminal infiltration and exerts immense pressure on social and security systems.

He maintained that a population explosion remains the region’s biggest challenge, compounding existing threats such as farmer-herder tensions, terrorism and banditry.

Daniel identified Lagos State as the epicentre of the strain, describing it as the most volatile due to its intense population density and daily inflow of new residents seeking opportunity.

He added that neighbouring Ogun State is already experiencing similar shocks as its industrial growth accelerates.

To address these concerns, he called for the strategic use of modern technology and significant investment in infrastructure.

According to him, enhanced population management, improved intelligence gathering and stronger security capacity are vital.

He stressed that technology-driven systems capable of tracking movement and analysing migration patterns have become indispensable to safeguarding the region’s long-term stability.

The summit, chaired by Senator Tokunbo Abiru, brought together lawmakers, traditional rulers, religious leaders and senior officials from key security institutions.

Representatives of the Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Security, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Lagos Neighbourhood Watch and Peace Corps of Nigeria were also present.

Their gathering reflected a shared understanding that sustainable security in the Southwest requires cohesive action.

It underscored the need to combine law enforcement, community collaboration, technology and strategic planning to manage the population pressures shaping Nigeria’s most economically dynamic region.

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The critical security warning delivered by Senator Daniel served as a powerful reminder of the urgent reforms needed to protect the future of the region.