Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) found suspected diesel and refining waste at a deserted Ogun State site, as it investigates an alleged illegal refinery and its operators, BusinessDay reported.
The agency found underground tanks believed to have been used to heat and process sludge oil. In two tanks it inspected, EFCC operatives identified substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also called diesel, the report said.
BusinessDay also noted an earlier EFCC operation at four lithium-processing plants in Ogere. EconoTimes reported that 15 people were arrested in a separate lithium-processing case on Oct. 23, including 14 Chinese nationals and one Nigerian. The earlier operation concerned alleged lithium processing; the current inquiry concerns suspected fuel production.
The EFCC’s initial findings linked the sludge oil to supply locations in Warri, Delta State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, before it was brought to Ogere for processing, according to BusinessDay. The process was believed to involve heating the sludge and separating lighter petroleum material through chambers and filters to produce AGO for the Nigerian market.
EFCC operatives searched the site Saturday, Oct. 31, after intelligence work and surveillance related to suspected sludge-oil refining. Security staff told investigators that the alleged Chinese operators had not provided their identities or the company name, BusinessDay reported.
The commission has taken control of the premises while it investigates who operated the facility, who owns the site and the full scope of the suspected illegal activity, including possible economic sabotage, according to the report.