The joint inspection followed intelligence that exposed what investigators described as a well-fenced, crude but technically sophisticated refinery occupying over three hectares of land.
DAILY POST, which joined the inspection team, observed underground tanks believed to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil, waste products from refining, and substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, otherwise known as diesel.
During the inspection, NMDPRA officials sealed the facility.
Speaking with newsmen, Ogun State Coordinator of NMDPRA, Dr Atilola Akinyemi, said the facility was a complete illegality with no permit from any regulatory authority.
He said the underground storage facility behind the site has an estimated capacity of more than 90,000 litres, with underground heating systems, water hydrants for cooling, locally fabricated tanks and silos for separation.
“This facility you see here is very crude and completely illegal. This is not a refinery by any standard. It does not have a permit from any regulatory authority and its operations are unknown to the relevant authorities,” Akinyemi said.
“They appear to be technically skilled people who have deliberately designed this facility to circumvent government regulations. When we examine their final product, it may look like diesel to the average person, but we cannot classify it as diesel until laboratory tests have been conducted,” he warned.
Akinyemi said if such adulterated products find their way into the market, vehicles and engines would be exposed to serious risks, adding that all products recovered have now been confiscated by the Federal Government.
The EFCC, Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Bawa Usman Kaltungo, who led the operation, disclosed that the illegal refinery was discovered through whistleblowing.
“What we have seen here is an illegal refinery with a complete setup, featuring all the processes through which sludge passes before being converted into what is commonly referred to as diesel. Judging by the nature of this facility, it has been operating for years,” Kaltungo said.
Kaltungo said the same Ogere axis has become a hub of illegal activities by foreign nationals, recalling that 14 Chinese nationals were arrested a week earlier over illegal lithium processing.
“Some of them had passports, while others did not. Even among those who had passports, we discovered that some of their visas had expired about three months earlier. Yet, there were still individuals operating there without passports,” he said.
He vowed that the ultimate owners, who are based in China, will be brought back to Nigeria to answer for their activities.
Also speaking, Director, Department of Proceeds of Crime Management, EFCC, Mr. Gbolahan Latona, harped on the need for Nigerians to be patriotic and work collectively for the development of the country.
“Imagine allowing saboteurs like these to operate freely and undermine the efforts of legitimate investors like Dangote Refinery. Ultimately, it is Nigerians who will suffer,” he said.
“If we genuinely want this country to become better for all of us, we must collectively work together to put an end to these kinds of criminal activities,” Latona stated.
He said upon conclusion of investigation, the suspects will have their day in court and proceeds of crime will be put to meaningful use.
“Once investigation has been concluded and sufficient evidence gathered, they will have their day in court. That is essentially the process. They will face prosecution, and if convicted, the proceeds of their crimes will be forfeited to the government and subsequently put to appropriate use,” he added.
