Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have uncovered an illegal oil refining facility allegedly operated by Chinese nationals in Ogere, Ogun State. ​The discovery was formally announced on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in an official statement released by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale. ​
Operatives from the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 raided the site on Saturday, October 31, 2026, following detailed intelligence gathering and sustained surveillance targeting illegal sludge oil processing in the region. Although the facility was found deserted at the time the team arrived, investigators discovered extensive refining waste and underground tanks used for heating and processing crude sludge oil.
Two inspected underground tanks were loaded with large quantities of a substance suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel. ​Preliminary investigations revealed that the operators sourced raw black sludge oil from Warri, Delta State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, transporting the material via trucks to Ogere.
Once at the facility, the sludge was subjected to intense heat and passed through a series of chambers and filters to extract refined diesel for distribution in the Nigerian market. Security staff stationed at the site informed officers that the Chinese handlers had kept their personal identities and corporate name completely secret throughout their operations.
​The EFCC confirmed that its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 has taken control of the premises as investigations continue to identify the individuals and corporate entities behind the facility. The operation follows a similar recent raid in the same area targeting illegal lithium processing plants.
