Ogere, Ogun State — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered a vast illegal industrial complex in the Ogere area of Ogun State, exposing what investigators describe as a multi-faceted manufacturing and processing empire operated largely by foreign nationals.
The complex, spanning several hectares in Ogere-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area, houses an illegal petroleum refining plant, lithium processing facilities, a specialised wood processing unit for export, an independent power generation system, warehouses, and an unregistered distillery used for mass production of alcoholic spirits.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede led an inspection of the site in early November 2026. Operatives of the commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 first raided the petroleum refining facility on Saturday, 31 October 2026, following weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance on illegal sludge oil refining activities. The plant was found deserted, but investigators discovered waste products from the refining process and underground tanks. Two of the tanks contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel. One underground storage facility had a capacity exceeding 90,000 litres, complete with heating systems, cooling hydrants, locally fabricated tanks and separation silos.
Preliminary findings showed that operators sourced black sludge (also called sludge oil) from Warri in Delta State and Port Harcourt in Rivers State, transported it to Ogere, and subjected it to intense heat. Lighter petroleum components were then passed through chambers and filters in a process believed to produce diesel for sale in the Nigerian market. Security personnel at the site told investigators that the Chinese operators never disclosed their identities or the name of the company behind the facility.
The discovery followed an earlier EFCC clampdown on four illegal lithium processing plants in the same Ogere axis, during which 14 Chinese nationals and one Nigerian were arrested. Items recovered in that operation included bags of lithium-bearing rocks, mobile phones, laptops and a trailer truck.
Further searches of the broader complex revealed warehouses stocked with motorcycles (suspected to have been used for security at illegal mining sites), satellite communication equipment, thousands of power banks, lithium batteries, telephone batteries and chargers. An illegal distillery for producing alcoholic spirits was also found, along with facilities linked to unlawful timber processing and export.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) joined EFCC operatives in a joint inspection of the refinery site. NMDPRA’s Ogun State Coordinator, Dr Atilola Akinyemi, described the installation as a “complete illegality” operating without any permit from regulatory authorities. He noted that the facility appeared designed to circumvent government regulations and warned that any adulterated products reaching the market could pose serious risks to vehicles and engines.
EFCC Zonal Director for Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Bawa Usman Kaltungo, said the Ogere axis had become a hub for illegal activities by foreign nationals, some of whom had expired visas or no passports at all. Investigations are examining suspected money laundering, economic sabotage, illegal mining and the involvement of foreign nationals, with some suspects already providing information about collaborators outside Nigeria.
Foreign nationals (believed to be Chinese), police officers and other Nigerians have been arrested in connection with the complex. Olukoyede said investigations remain ongoing and vowed that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
In a related development, the EFCC Chairman indicated that the commission would seek court orders to bring in licensed operators to run the seized industrial facilities. The plan aims to prevent the destruction of the plants and the loss of jobs for workers while ensuring only properly regulated businesses operate them. Relevant regulatory agencies would be involved once court approval is obtained.
The EFCC has taken custody of the premises as probes continue into ownership structures, the full extent of the illegal operations and the identities of those behind the empire.
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