The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has made a significant discovery in Ogere, Ogun State, Nigeria. On October 31, operatives from the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC conducted a raid on a facility suspected of being an illegal oil refinery. The facility, allegedly operated by Chinese nationals, was found to be processing sludge oil into diesel for sale in the Nigerian market. The EFCC's action follows intelligence and surveillance that linked the facility to suspected illegal activities.
Upon arrival, the EFCC operatives found the facility deserted, but discovered waste products from the refining process, underground tanks believed to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil, and substances suspected to be diesel. Two of the underground tanks inspected contained Automotive Gas Oil, commonly known as diesel. The EFCC's preliminary investigations revealed that the operators sourced sludge oil from Warri, Delta State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, before transporting it to the facility in Ogere for processing.
According to the EFCC, the suspected operators subjected the sludge oil to intense heat, allowing lighter petroleum components to pass through a series of chambers and filters in a process believed to produce diesel for sale in the Nigerian market. The commission's statement, released by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, did not provide further details on the quantity of diesel produced or the duration of the operation.
The EFCC also revealed that security personnel at the facility told operatives that the Chinese operators never disclosed their identities or the name of the company behind the operation. This lack of transparency has raised concerns about the extent of the suspected economic sabotage linked to the operation. The EFCC has taken over the premises as investigations continue to establish the identities of the operators, the ownership of the facility, and the full extent of the suspected illegal activities.
The discovery of the illegal refinery is not an isolated incident. Earlier, the EFCC had clamped down on four illegal lithium processing plants in the area. The commission's actions demonstrate its commitment to combating economic crimes and protecting the Nigerian economy. The EFCC's investigation will also aim to determine the impact of the suspected economic sabotage on the country's economy and the environment.
The EFCC's raid on the facility is a significant blow to the operators, who are suspected to have been evading taxes and sabotaging the economy. The commission's efforts to bring the operators to justice and recover any losses incurred by the Nigerian economy are ongoing. The EFCC has urged Nigerians to report any suspicious activities related to economic crimes.
The EFCC's investigation is ongoing, with the commission working to establish the full extent of the suspected illegal activities and economic sabotage. The commission's actions demonstrate its commitment to protecting the Nigerian economy and bringing perpetrators of economic crimes to justice.
Key points
- The EFCC has taken over the premises of the illegal refinery and is continuing investigations.
- The suspected operators sourced sludge oil from Warri, Delta State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
- The EFCC had earlier clamped down on four illegal lithium processing plants in the area.
