The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has uncovered an illegal oil refinery allegedly operated by Chinese nationals in the Ogere area of Ogun State.
The discovery followed an intelligence-led operation carried out by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Commission.
The facility was found deserted when EFCC operatives stormed the premises. However, they discovered waste products from the refining process, as well as underground tanks suspected to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil.
Two of the tanks contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil, popularly known as diesel.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the operators sourced black sludge oil from Warri, Delta State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and transported it to the facility in Ogere for processing into diesel for sale in the Nigerian market.
Security personnel at the facility reportedly told EFCC operatives that the Chinese operators never disclosed their identities or the name of the company behind the operation.
The Commission has since taken over the premises as investigations continue to uncover the identities of the operators, establish ownership of the facility and determine the full extent of the suspected illegal activities.
The EFCC says the operation is part of its ongoing efforts to combat economic and financial crimes, including activities capable of undermining Nigeria’s economic interests.
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(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
