The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered a suspected illegal oil refinery operated by Chinese nationals in Ogere, Ogun State.
Operatives of the commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 discovered the facility during a raid on Saturday, October 31, 2026, following intelligence and surveillance on activities linked to illegal sludge oil refining in the area.
According to a statement issued by the EFCC on Tuesday, November 3, the facility was deserted when operatives arrived.
The discovery followed an earlier operation by the commission against four illegal lithium processing plants in the Ogere area.
Despite the absence of the operators, EFCC officials found waste products believed to have been generated from the refining process at the site.
Several underground tanks suspected to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil were also discovered.
Two of the tanks inspected contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.
Preliminary findings indicated that the operators obtained sludge oil, also known as black sludge, from Warri in Delta State and Port Harcourt in Rivers State before transporting it to Ogere for processing.
Investigators said the sludge oil was subjected to intense heat at the facility, after which lighter petroleum components were passed 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 did not disclose their identities or the name of the company allegedly operating the refinery.
EFCC said its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 has taken over the premises as investigations continue to determine the identities of the operators, ownership of the facility and the full extent of the suspected illegal activities.
The commission described the investigation as part of its efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the operation and suspected economic sabotage.
