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 EFCC, following credible intelligence and surveillance on the activities of suspected illegal sludge oil refiners in the area.
The EFCC discovered two underground tanks containing substances suspected to be diesel at the abandoned refinery in Ogun State. Investigators found that the illegal refinery sourced black sludge from Warri, Delta State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for processing into suspected diesel. The facility was deserted when EFCC operatives stormed the premises, but waste products from the refining process and underground tanks believed to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil were discovered.
According to preliminary investigations, the operators 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. The suspected 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 diesel for sale in the Nigerian market.
Security personnel at the facility told EFCC operatives that the Chinese operators never disclosed their identities nor the name of the company behind the facility. The EFCC said that two of the tanks inspected contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel. The commission has since taken over the premises as investigations continue to establish the identities of the operators, the ownership of the facility, and the full extent of the suspected illegal activities.
The raid on the illegal refinery followed the commission's earlier crackdown on four illegal lithium processing plants in the same area. The EFCC's operation is part of its efforts to curb economic sabotage and illicit activities in the country. The commission's Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 conducted the raid, which resulted in the discovery of the illegal refinery.
Investigators also encountered security personnel at the facility, who reportedly told them that the Chinese operators never disclosed their identities or the name of the company behind the operation. The EFCC is working to establish the identities of the operators, the ownership of the facility, and the full extent of the suspected illegal activities and economic sabotage.
The EFCC's discovery of the illegal refinery has raised concerns about the extent of economic sabotage in the country. The commission's efforts to curb such activities are ongoing, with investigations continuing to establish the full extent of the suspected illegal activities. The EFCC has taken over the premises and is working to bring those responsible to justice.
Key points
- The EFCC discovered an illegal oil refinery allegedly operated by Chinese nationals in Ogun State, Nigeria.
- The refinery sourced black sludge from Warri, Delta State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for processing into suspected diesel.
- The EFCC has taken over the premises and is working to establish the identities of the operators, the ownership of the facility, and the full extent of the suspected illegal activities.
