Chinese-operated illegal refinery uncovered in Ogun

The EFCC says it uncovered a deserted illegal sludge oil refinery allegedly operated by Chinese nationals in Ogere, Ogun State, during an October 31 raid, and has taken over the premises as investigations continue.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has uncovered an illegal oil refinery allegedly operated by Chinese nationals in Ogere, Ogun State, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale.

The statement said operatives of the Lagos zonal directorate 2 found the facility on October 31 after intelligence gathering and surveillance on suspected illegal sludge oil refiners. It was deserted when they arrived, and follows an earlier operation in which the commission shut four illegal lithium processing plants in the area.

“However, waste products from the refining process were discovered at the location,” the statement reads. “During the raid, underground tanks believed to have been used for heating and processing the sludge oil were also discovered. Two of the underground tanks inspected contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise known as diesel.”

Preliminary investigations showed the operators sourced black sludge from Warri, Delta State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and heated it to produce diesel for the Nigerian market. Security personnel at the site said the operators never disclosed their identities or the company behind the refinery.

Operatives have taken over the premises as investigations continue.