EFCC Uncovers Illegal Oil Refinery Allegedly Operated by Chinese Nationals in Ogun

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered an illegal oil refinery allegedly operated by Chinese nationals in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

The facility was discovered on Saturday, October 31, 2026, by operatives of the commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 following intelligence gathering and surveillance on suspected illegal sludge oil refining activities.

The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday. He said the premises were deserted when operatives arrived, following an earlier operation that led to the shutdown of four illegal lithium processing plants in the area.

Although no operators were found at the site, the operatives reportedly discovered waste materials from the refining process and underground tanks believed to have been used to heat and process sludge oil.

Oyewale said two of the tanks inspected contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil, commonly known as diesel.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the operators allegedly sourced sludge oil, also called black sludge, from Warri in Delta State and Port Harcourt in Rivers State before transporting it to the Ogere facility for processing.

The EFCC said the sludge oil was reportedly subjected to intense heat, allowing lighter petroleum components to pass through chambers and filters in a process believed to produce diesel for sale in the Nigerian market.

The commission added that workers at the facility told investigators that the Chinese operators had not disclosed their identities or the name of the company behind the operation. EFCC operatives have since taken over the premises as investigations continue to identify those involved, establish ownership of the facility and determine the full extent of the suspected illegal activities.