EFCC Uncovers Illegal Chinese-operated Oil Refinery In Ogun

 EFCC Uncovers Illegal Chinese-operated Oil Refinery In Ogun

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has busted an illegal oil refinery allegedly operated by some Chinese nationals at Ogere, in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State.

This was revealed via a statement issued Tuesday 03 November 2026 by EFCC Head of Media and Publicity Dele Oyewale.

According to the statement, the operation was carried out on Saturday 31 October 2026 by operatives of its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, after intelligence gathering/surveillance on activities of illegal sludge oil refiners.

The refinery was deserted when operatives stormed the premises, and it follows the earlier busting of 4 illegal lithium processing plants in the same Ogere area.

However, operatives found waste products from the refining process and underground tanks believed to be used for heating and processing sludge oil.

“Two of the underground tanks inspected contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise known as diesel,” the statement added.

EFCC said preliminary investigations reveal that the operators bought sludge oil (aka black sludge or petroleum sludge) from Warri in Delta State and Port Harcourt in Rivers State, before transporting it to the site in Ogere for processing.

Further investigations indicate that the operators subjected the sludge oil to intense heat, allowing lighter petroleum components to pass through a series of chambers/filters to produce Automotive Gas Oil (aka diesel) for sale in the Nigerian market.

The EFCC added that security personnel at the site informed its operatives that the Chinese operators never disclosed their identities or the name of their company.

Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 have taken over the premises, as investigations are ongoing to establish identities of the operators, the ownership of the facility and the full extent of the suspected illegal activities.