Customs Hand Over Sealed Filling Station To NMDPRA

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through the Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller-General Kola Oladeji, on Monday, handed over a sealed petrol station to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for regulatory action.

The handover, which took place in Badagry, Lagos State, followed the discovery that the facility had violated operational standards.

Oladeji, in a post on X, said the petrol station was sealed on October 4, 2025, after it was found to have breached regulations governing petroleum retail operations.

Oladeji said: “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.”

He stressed that the move reinforced the government’s stance against economic sabotage in the energy sector.

“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.

Oladeji commended the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), led by Nuhu Ribadu, for its strategic role in intelligence gathering and policy coordination in advancing national energy security.

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

The Head of Retail Infrastructure at NMDPRA, Ivy Agbenselugbo, warned that the illegal diversion and smuggling of petroleum products carry significant economic and environmental consequences.

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

Agbenselugbo called for strengthened partnerships between both agencies, stressing that information sharing and joint enforcement are key to curbing infractions.

She continued, “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”.