EFCC nabs three Chinese 'without visas' in Ogun

Three Chinese nationals were apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Ogun State, having been found residing near an illegal refinery in Ogere-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area. The individuals were discovered living in a building directly opposite the site, which covers more than three hectares of land.

The residents presented only their Chinese passports, which displayed a visitor's stamp from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, dated May 9, 2026, with a permitted stay of 30 days. This implied that their pass had expired on June 8, 2026. As of November 4, 2026, the foreigners had remained in the country for about five months beyond their 30-day visitor's stay.

The EFCC and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) conducted a joint enforcement operation to apprehend the suspects during a raid on the illegal refinery site. During the operation, NMDPRA officials had already sealed the facility, uncovering underground storage tanks and systems believed to have been used for processing sludge oil and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise known as diesel.

The suspects' residence building was heavily secured by armed personnel, restricting access to the premises. When questioned about their visas and residence documents, the Chinese nationals could only provide their passports with the Nigerian Immigration Service entry stamp. The arrest of these three Chinese nationals has raised concerns about the increasing presence of illegal migrants in Ogun State, specifically in the Ogere-Remo corridor, engaging in economic activities that may be detrimental to the state.