EFCC Uncovers Chinese-Operated Illegal Oil Refinery in Ogun, Recovers 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 Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the anti-graft agency, following credible intelligence and surveillance.

The EFCC said the operation followed its earlier clampdown on four illegal lithium processing plants in the area.

According to the Commission, the refinery was found deserted when operatives stormed the premises, but waste products from the refining process and underground tanks used for heating and processing sludge oil were discovered at the location.

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

Preliminary investigations revealed that the operators sourced sludge oil, also known as black sludge, from Warri in Delta State and Port Harcourt in Rivers State, and transported it to the illegal facility in Ogere for processing.

The EFCC explained that the illegal operators subjected the sludge oil to intense heat, allowing lighter petroleum components to pass through a series of chambers and filters in a process believed to produce AGO for sale in the Nigerian market.

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Security personnel at the facility reportedly told EFCC operatives that the Chinese operators never disclosed their identities nor the name of the company behind the facility.

The EFCC said its operatives have 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 economic sabotage.

Sources told BIGPEN NGR that sludge oil, a residue from tank cleaning and industrial operations, is often evacuated from tank farms and vessels in Warri and Port Harcourt, creating a black market supply chain that feeds illegal refineries in Ogun and other South-West states.

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