Customs Hand Over Sealed Lagos Petrol Station To NMDPRA.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the nation’s energy infrastructure as part of broader efforts to curb irregularities in the petroleum downstream sector. In a statement posted on X on Monday, the agency disclosed that its special task force, Operation Whirlwind, had handed over a sealed petrol station to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for further regulatory action. The move, according to the NCS, underscores its dedication to enforcing compliance and promoting transparency within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

During the official handover ceremony held in Badagry, Lagos State, the Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller-General Kola Oladeji, announced that the filling station identified as Adeola Ade Plc, located along Owode-Apa Road, was formally transferred to the NMDPRA. Oladeji explained that the action followed directives from the Comptroller-General of Customs, who has consistently emphasized inter-agency collaboration as a key strategy for effective oversight of critical sectors.

According to Oladeji, the petrol station was sealed on October 4, 2025, after investigations revealed that it was operating in violation of established standards and regulations governing petroleum retail activities in the country. He stressed that the enforcement exercise was carried out after due diligence and intelligence gathering, ensuring that all actions aligned with national laws and petroleum distribution guidelines. The discovery of the infractions, he added, forms part of the ongoing drive to eliminate sharp practices and promote accountability in the downstream value chain.

The ACG noted that the handover represents a strong warning to economic saboteurs and unlicensed operators who continue to undermine government efforts in ensuring a fair and transparent petroleum market. He reiterated that Operation Whirlwind, under the Nigeria Customs Service, remains committed to identifying and dismantling networks engaged in illegal fuel diversion, smuggling, and adulteration. According to him, the synergy between the Customs and NMDPRA is essential to achieving sustainable energy security across the country.

Oladeji also commended the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), led by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for its invaluable role in intelligence coordination and policy support that enhances national energy protection efforts. He maintained that the combined intelligence and enforcement strategies of relevant agencies have strengthened the federal government’s capacity to monitor the petroleum sector more effectively. The NCS, he added, will continue to collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure that the petroleum distribution network operates strictly within regulatory frameworks to protect both the economy and the Nigerian people.