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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its operation that uncovered an illegal oil refinery allegedly run by Chinese nationals in Ogere, Ogun State, also exposed suspected unregistered alcohol production, illegal timber exports and unlawful mining.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, disclosed this while providing further details of the commission’s investigation into suspected economic and environmental crimes during a visit to the site.
The latest findings came days after the commission announced the discovery of the illegal refinery in Ogere.
Operatives of the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate Two uncovered underground storage tanks believed to have been used to heat and process sludge oil at the facility.
The refinery was deserted when the operatives raided the premises on October 31, following weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
The commission said preliminary investigations showed that the operators sourced sludge oil, also known as black sludge, from Warri in Delta State and Port Harcourt in Rivers State before transporting it to Ogere for processing.
Two of the underground tanks inspected at the site contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.
The EFCC also linked the refinery discovery to its earlier operation against four illegal lithium processing plants in the same area.
Speaking on the wider findings, Olukoyede said investigators had uncovered other facilities suspected of being used for unregistered alcohol production, illegal timber exports and unlawful mining.
The commission said the investigations formed part of its efforts to tackle economic and environmental crimes.
It added that further inquiries would establish the full extent of the suspected illegal activities.
