EFCC Uncovers Chinese-run Illegal Oil Refinery In Ogun

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered an illegal oil refinery allegedly operated by Chinese nationals in Ogere, Ogun State. The operators use the facility to process waste petroleum products into

Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel, for sale in the Nigerian market.

The discovery followed an intelligence-driven operation conducted on Saturday, 31st October, 2026, by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC as part of efforts to clamp down on illegal economic activities in the area.

The facility, however, was deserted when the operatives stormed the premises, with the suspected operators having fled before the anti-graft agency’s team arrived.

A statement issued yesterday by EFCC head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said 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).

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

The suspected operators allegedly 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 commercial distribution.

The EFCC said security personnel at the facility informed its operatives that the Chinese operators never disclosed their identities or the name of the company behind the refinery.

The discovery comes amid the commission’s earlier crackdown on four illegal lithium-processing plants in the same area, raising concerns about the activities of unidentified operators engaged in suspected illegal industrial operations in Ogere.

The EFCC said it had taken over the premises while investigations continued to establish the identities of the operators, the facility’s ownership, and the full extent of the suspected illegal activities.

The commission described the operation as part of its efforts to tackle economic and financial crimes, including activities that undermine legitimate business operations and the Nigerian economy.