The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered a suspected illegal oil refinery allegedly operated by Chinese nationals in the Ogere area of Ogun State, following an intelligence-led operation targeting unauthorised petroleum processing activities.
The discovery was made on Saturday, October 31, 2026, by operatives of the Commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, following credible intelligence and surveillance concerning the activities of suspected illegal sludge oil refiners in the area.
According to the Commission, the operation followed its earlier crackdown on four alleged illegal lithium processing plants in Ogere, where 14 Chinese nationals and one Nigerian were arrested on October 23, 2026.
The latest discovery has prompted a fresh investigation into the ownership and activities of the suspected illegal refinery, including the identities of the persons responsible for its operation and the sources of petroleum materials processed at the facility.
EFCC operatives reportedly found the refinery deserted when they arrived at the premises, suggesting that those responsible for its operations had left before the enforcement team reached the location.
Although no arrests were reported during the latest raid, investigators discovered materials and equipment indicating that petroleum refining activities had allegedly taken place at the facility.
Among the discoveries were waste products believed to have been generated during the refining process and underground tanks suspected to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil.
Two of the underground tanks inspected by the Commission contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.
The discovery raised concerns about the activities of unauthorised petroleum processors and the possible production and distribution of petroleum products outside the established regulatory framework.
Preliminary investigations by the EFCC indicated that the operators allegedly sourced sludge oil, also known as black sludge, from Warri in Delta State and Port Harcourt in Rivers State.
According to the Commission, the petroleum material was transported from the two oil-producing locations to Ogere, Ogun State, where it was subjected to further processing.
Investigators disclosed that the operators allegedly heated the sludge oil at high temperatures, allowing lighter petroleum components to move through a series of chambers and filters.
The process was believed to have been designed to produce Automotive Gas Oil for sale in the Nigerian market.
The Commission is investigating whether the suspected refinery had the necessary regulatory approvals to process petroleum products and the extent of any unlawful commercial activities associated with the operation.
During the raid, security personnel found at the facility reportedly informed EFCC operatives that the Chinese nationals believed to be operating the refinery had not disclosed their identities.
The security personnel also claimed that the operators had not revealed the name of the company responsible for the facility.
The development has complicated efforts to establish the ownership and management structure of the suspected illegal refinery.
The EFCC is consequently seeking to identify the individuals and corporate entities connected with the operation, including those responsible for obtaining the raw materials and distributing the processed products.
The discovery comes days after the Commission carried out another operation in the same Ogere area, targeting four alleged illegal lithium processing plants.
During the earlier enforcement exercise on Friday, October 23, operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 arrested 15 suspects, comprising 14 Chinese nationals and one Nigerian.
The arrests followed intelligence gathering and surveillance concerning suspected unauthorised mineral processing activities.
Items recovered during that operation included bags of lithium rocks, 18 mobile devices, four laptop computers, two decoders, a television remote control and a trailer truck.
The Commission subsequently disclosed that the suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
However, the latest oil refinery discovery is a separate operation, and the EFCC has not established that the individuals arrested in connection with the lithium processing plants were also responsible for the suspected illegal refinery.
The earlier operation involved alleged unauthorised solid mineral processing, while the latest investigation concerns the suspected refining of petroleum materials into diesel.
Both discoveries, however, occurred in Ogere and were uncovered by operatives of the same EFCC zonal directorate.
The Commission’s findings have brought renewed attention to suspected illegal resource-processing activities in the area and the need to establish whether the operators complied with the laws and regulations governing petroleum and mineral processing.
The discovery of underground processing tanks and substances suspected to be diesel is expected to form part of the Commission’s continuing investigation.
The EFCC has not disclosed the quantity of suspected diesel found in the tanks, the production capacity of the facility or the estimated value of petroleum products allegedly processed there.
It has also not identified the individuals believed to be operating the refinery or the company that may own the premises.
The Commission has yet to announce whether the substances discovered at the site have undergone laboratory analysis to confirm their composition.
Following the operation, operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 took control of the premises to facilitate further investigations.
According to the EFCC, the investigation will focus on establishing the identities of the suspected operators, the ownership of the facility and the full extent of the alleged illegal activities.
The Commission is also examining the circumstances surrounding the movement of sludge oil from Warri and Port Harcourt to Ogun State and the suspected production of diesel for commercial distribution.
Post Title: “Operators’ Identities Remain Unknown” — EFCC Uncovers Suspected Illegal Chinese-Run Oil Refinery In Ogun, Takes Over Premises By Naijaonpoint.