The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered an illegal oil refinery allegedly operated by Chinese nationals in Ogere, Ogun State.
The discovery was made on Saturday, October 31, 2026, by operatives of the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, following credible intelligence and surveillance on the activities of suspected illegal sludge oil refiners.
The refinery was reportedly deserted when the operatives stormed the facility, following an earlier crackdown on four illegal lithium processing plants in the area.
However, the operatives discovered waste products from the refining process, as well as underground tanks believed to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil.
Two of the underground tanks inspected contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the operators allegedly sourced sludge oil, also called black sludge, from Warri, Delta State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, before transporting it to the facility in Ogere for processing.
Further investigations indicated that the 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.
Security personnel at the facility reportedly told EFCC operatives that the Chinese operators had never disclosed their identities or the name of the company behind the refinery.
The EFCC said its operatives had taken over the premises as investigations continued to determine the identities of the operators, the ownership of the facility and the full extent of the suspected illegal activities.
The commission said the investigation was aimed at uncovering possible economic sabotage associated with the operation.
