Customs hand over sealed Lagos petrol station to NMDPRA

The Nigeria Customs Service has reiterated its commitment to protecting the integrity of the nation’s energy infrastructure as part of ongoing efforts to curb irregularities in the petroleum downstream sector.

The agency in a Monday statement on X disclosed that through its special task force, Operation Whirlwind, on Friday, it handed over a sealed petrol station to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for further regulatory action.

The Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller-General, Kola Oladeji, disclosed this during the official handover ceremony held in Badagry, Lagos State.

“I stand before you today, as directed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, to formally hand over the sealed filling station identified as Adeola Ade Plc, located along Owode-Apa Road, Badagry, to the NMDPRA for further regulatory actions,” Oladeji said.

He explained that the petrol station, sealed on October 4, 2025, was found to be operating in violation of standards and regulations governing petroleum retail operations in Nigeria.

“This handover sends a clear message to economic saboteurs that both government agencies remain resolute in sustaining enforcement against non-compliance within the petroleum downstream sector,” he added.

The ACG commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, led by Nuhu Ribadu, for its role in intelligence gathering and policy coordination in support of national energy security.

The continued collaboration among security and regulatory agencies is crucial to preserving the integrity of Nigeria’s energy infrastructure,” Oladeji stated.

Also speaking, the Head of Retail Infrastructure at the NMDPRA, Ivy Agbenselugbo, emphasised the economic and environmental consequences of fuel smuggling and diversion.

“Fuel smuggling and diversion not only cause significant revenue losses but also pose serious environmental risks,” she said.

Agbenselugbo stressed the need for continued partnership between the Customs Service and the NMDPRA to enhance enforcement efforts through intelligence sharing and operational synergy.

“We recognise the effects of this challenge and require collaborative efforts with all stakeholders, including Customs, to tackle petrol diversion.

“We look forward to strengthening our partnership through intelligence sharing, operational synergy, and improved environmental safeguards,” Agbenselugbo added.

The event concluded with the formal signing of handover documents, symbolising the renewed commitment of both agencies to regulatory integrity, transparency, and the sanitisation of the petroleum downstream sector.

culled from punch