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EFCC Uncovers Chinese-Operated Illegal Refinery in Ogun
EFCC Uncovers Chinese-Operated Illegal Refinery in Ogun
EFCC uncovers an illegal refinery allegedly operated by Chinese nationals in Ogere, Ogun State, where sludge oil was processed into diesel for sale in Nigeria.
Suspected operators allegedly sourced black sludge from Warri, Delta State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and transported it to the facility for processing.
Operatives discover waste products from the refining process and two underground tanks containing substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.
EFCC takes over the facility as investigations continue to identify the Chinese operators, establish ownership and determine the extent of suspected economic sabotage.
November 03, () – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered an illegal refinery allegedly operated by Chinese nationals in Ogere, Ogun State, where sludge oil was processed into diesel for sale in the Nigerian market.
The anti-graft agency in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the facility was deserted when operatives stormed the premises.
He said the discovery followed a raid by operatives of the commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 on Saturday, October 31, 2026, after intelligence gathering and surveillance linked the facility to suspected illegal sludge oil refining activities.
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According to the commission, the operation followed an earlier crackdown on four illegal lithium processing plants in the same area.
Although the suspected operators were not found at the facility, operatives discovered waste products from the refining process and underground tanks believed to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil.
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“However, waste products from the refining process were discovered at the location,” the commission said.
It disclosed that two of the underground tanks inspected contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.
Preliminary investigations, according to the EFCC, indicated that the suspected operators sourced 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.
The commission explained that the operators 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 sale in Nigeria.
“Two of the underground tanks inspected contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise known as diesel. Preliminary investigations revealed that the operators sourced sludge oil, also known as black sludge, from Warri, Delta State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and transported it to the illegal facility in Ogere for processing,” the anti-graft agency said.
It further disclosed that security personnel at the facility told its operatives that the Chinese nationals behind the operation had never revealed their identities or the name of the company responsible for the refinery.
“Personnel at the facility told EFCC operatives that the Chinese operators never disclosed their identities nor the name of the company behind the facility,” Oyewale said.
EFCC Takes Over Facility, Investigates Operators
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC has uncovered an illegal refinery allegedly operated by Chinese nationals in Ogere Ogun State where sludge oil was processed into diesel for sale in the Nigerian market
The commission said its operatives had taken over the premises as investigations continued to establish the identities of the suspected Chinese operators, determine the ownership of the facility and ascertain the full extent of the alleged illegal activities.
It also said the investigation would establish the extent of suspected economic sabotage linked to the operation.
“Consequently, operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC have since taken over the premises as investigations continue to establish the identities of the operators, the ownership of the facility and the full extent of the suspected illegal activities and economic sabotage,” the statement added.
Illegal petroleum refining and the unauthorised processing of petroleum products have remained subjects of enforcement operations by Nigerian authorities, particularly over concerns about economic losses, environmental pollution and the safety of petroleum products entering the domestic market.
Sludge oil, also known as black sludge, is a petroleum residue generated during oil production and refining processes.
Its processing into usable petroleum products requires appropriate industrial facilities and compliance with relevant petroleum, environmental and safety regulations.
The latest discovery in Ogere comes against the backdrop of the EFCC’s earlier clampdown on four illegal lithium processing plants in the area.
The commission said investigations into the suspected illegal refinery were ongoing, with particular attention on identifying its operators, establishing its ownership and determining the full extent of the activities allegedly carried out at the premises.
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