EFCC Uncovers Chinese-Operated Illegal Oil Refinery In Ogun, Discovers Suspected Diesel

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 discovery was made on Saturday, October 31, 2026, by operatives of the EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, following intelligence gathering and surveillance on suspected illegal sludge oil refining activities in the area.

According to the Commission, the facility was deserted when operatives stormed the premises, following an earlier operation that led to the shutdown of four illegal lithium processing plants in the area.

However, investigators discovered waste products from the refining process, alongside underground tanks believed to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil.

Two of the tanks inspected contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.

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

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

Security personnel at the facility reportedly told investigators that the Chinese operators had never disclosed their identities or the name of the company behind the operation.

The Commission has since taken over the premises as investigations continue to establish the identities of the operators, ownership of the facility and the full extent of the suspected illegal activities.