The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have shut down an illegal oil processing facility in Ogere-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The facility, reportedly linked to Chinese nationals, was uncovered on Wednesday following intelligence gathered by the EFCC.
According to the agencies, the refinery occupied more than three hectares of land and contained underground storage tanks, heating equipment, cooling systems and locally fabricated facilities allegedly used to process sludge oil into products suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.
Speaking during the inspection, NMDPRA State Coordinator, Dr Atilola Akinyemi, said the operators had no approval from any regulatory authority to carry out petroleum processing activities.
He disclosed that an underground storage facility at the site had an estimated capacity of over 90,000 litres.
Akinyemi added that samples of the processed products would require laboratory analysis before they could be identified as diesel.
Also speaking, EFCC Lagos Zonal Director, Bawa Usman Kaltungo, said the facility appeared to have been operating for several years, judging by its equipment and processing arrangements.
He linked the discovery to growing concerns over illegal industrial activities involving foreign nationals in the Ogere area, recalling the recent arrest of 14 Chinese nationals over alleged illegal lithium processing.
Kaltungo disclosed that investigations into the activities of the foreign nationals revealed immigration irregularities, including expired visas and individuals operating without passports.
Meanwhile, EFCC Director of Proceeds of Crime Management, Gbolahan Latona, warned that illegal petroleum operations undermine legitimate investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
He said such activities could weaken the efforts of established operators, including the Dangote Refinery, while exposing Nigerians to the consequences of unregulated petroleum products.
The authorities vowed to investigate the operators and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
