EFCC nabs three Chinese ‘without visas’ in Ogun
Three Chinese nationals were arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Ogun State after they were found residing near an illegal refinery with expired visitor’s visas.
The arrests occurred on Wednesday during a joint enforcement operation conducted by the EFCC and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in the Ogere-Remo area of Ikenne Local Government. The facility had previously been sealed by NMDPRA officials due to the discovery of underground tanks suspected to have been used for processing sludge oil and other byproducts from illegal refining activities.
The storage facility, located behind the illegal refinery, is estimated to have a capacity of over 90,000 liters and includes underground heating systems as well as locally fabricated tanks and silos for separation.
According to reports, the three individuals were found living in a heavily secured building across from the illegal refinery, which occupies more than three hectares of land. Armed personnel were stationed at the property, restricting access.
When questioned about their residency documents, the foreign nationals presented only their Chinese passports, which bore a visitor’s entry stamp from Nigeria’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport, dated May 9, 2026, allowing for a 30-day stay, which expired on June 8, 2026. Observations indicated that as of Wednesday, November 4, 2026, the individuals had remained in Nigeria for approximately five months beyond their permitted duration without possessing a valid residence or work permit.
Following their arrest, an EFCC official raised concerns about how the foreign nationals obtained immigration stamps without accompanying visas, questioning their ability to remain in the country and engage in employment under these circumstances.
This incident has heightened apprehensions that Ogun State, particularly the Ogere-Remo corridor, may be emerging as a refuge for illegal migrants participating in activities detrimental to the economy.
In a related incident two weeks prior, EFCC agents apprehended 14 Chinese nationals and one Nigerian at four illegal lithium processing plants in the same region, recovering various items including bags of lithium rocks and numerous electronic devices.
