The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered a suspected illegal oil refinery allegedly operated by Chinese nationals in Ogere, Ogun State, following an intelligence-led operation on October 31, 2026.
According to the commission, operatives from its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 found the facility deserted when they arrived at the premises. However, they discovered waste products from refining activities and underground tanks believed to have been used for processing sludge oil. The EFCC disclosed the discovery in a statement issued on November 3 through its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.
During the operation, EFCC officials discovered underground tanks believed to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil, also known as black sludge. The commission said two of the tanks contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.
Preliminary investigations reportedly showed that the operators transported sludge oil from Warri in Delta State and Port Harcourt in Rivers State to the Ogere facility for processing.
According to the EFCC, the suspected operators used intense heat to separate lighter petroleum components from the sludge through a series of chambers and filters. The resulting product was believed to be diesel intended for sale in the Nigerian market.
The EFCC also revealed that security personnel at the facility told investigators that the Chinese nationals allegedly behind the operation never disclosed their identities or the name of the company responsible for running the refinery.
No operators were found at the premises during the raid, and the commission has not announced any arrests connected specifically to the refinery discovery.
The agency has since taken control of the facility as investigations continue to establish the identities of those involved, determine ownership of the premises and uncover the full extent of the suspected illegal activities.
The discovery came shortly after the EFCC conducted an operation against four suspected illegal lithium processing plants in the same Ogere area.
During that earlier operation, the commission reportedly arrested 15 people, including 14 Chinese nationals and one Nigerian, over alleged illegal lithium processing activities.
The latest refinery discovery has expanded the commission’s investigation into suspected unauthorised industrial activities in the area. However, there is currently no confirmed evidence that the lithium processing operations and the suspected oil refinery were connected. premiumtimesng.com+1
The EFCC says investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible and determine the scale of the operation, which it is treating as a suspected case of economic sabotage.
Discover more from Scoop Hub
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
