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The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have raided and sealed an illegal refinery in Ogere-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The operation, carried out on Wednesday, November 4, followed intelligence reports about the activities of the refinery, which occupies more than three hectares of land.
Officials who inspected the facility discovered underground tanks believed to have been used to heat and process sludge oil, waste materials from refining and substances suspected to be diesel.The facility also had underground storage tanks, heating systems, water hydrants for cooling, locally made tanks and equipment used to separate different products.
Speaking during the operation, the Ogun State Coordinator of NMDPRA, Dr Atilola Akinyemi, said the refinery was operating illegally without approval from any government regulatory agency.
He explained that the facility had an underground storage capacity of more than 90,000 litres.
Akinyemi described the refinery as crude but said its operators appeared to have technical knowledge and had designed the facility to avoid government regulations.
He warned that some of the products recovered might look like diesel but could not be confirmed as genuine diesel until laboratory tests were conducted.He recalled that 14 Chinese nationals were arrested in the same area about a week earlier over alleged illegal lithium processing.
He said investigations revealed that some of the arrested Chinese nationals had no passports, while some others had expired visas.
The EFCC director vowed that the owners of the illegal refinery, who are believed to be based in China, would be brought to Nigeria to face investigation.
Also speaking, the EFCC Director of Proceeds of Crime Management, Gbolahan Latona, called on Nigerians to support the fight against illegal activities that undermine the country’s economy.
He said allowing illegal operators to continue their activities could discourage legitimate investors, including operators of the Dangote Refinery.
Latona stressed that Nigerians would ultimately suffer the consequences of such activities.
He assured that the suspects would be prosecuted after investigations had been completed and enough evidence gathered.
He added that if they were convicted, the proceeds of their illegal activities would be forfeited to the Federal Government and put to proper use.
He added that investigations suggested the refinery had been operating for several years.
Kaltungo also described the Ogere area as a growing centre for illegal activities involving foreign nationals.
He recalled that 14 Chinese nationals were arrested in the same area about a week earlier over alleged illegal lithium processing.
He said investigations revealed that some of the arrested Chinese nationals had no passports, while some others had expired visas.
The EFCC director He said investigations revealed that some of the arrested Chinese nationals had no passports, while some others had expired visas. that the owners of the illegal refinery, who are believed to be based in China, would be brought to Nigeria to face investigation.
Also speaking, the EFCC Director of Proceeds of Crime Management, Gbolahan Latona, called on Nigerians to support the fight against illegal activities that undermine the country’s economy.
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