Dare Babalola
The Nigeria Customs Service has handed over a sealed petrol station in Lagos to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
This was made known in a statement the agency posted via X on Monday reiterating 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.
During the official handover ceremony held in Badagry, Lagos State, the Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller-General, Kola Oladeji, said the petrol station was sealed by the agency’s special task force, Operation Whirlwind, on Friday.
“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.
The petrol station, sealed on October 4, 2025, was found operating in breach of Nigeria’s petroleum retail regulations and standards, he explained.
“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 praised the Office of the National Security Adviser, led by Nuhu Ribadu, for its intelligence gathering and policy coordination efforts 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.
