Customs hands over sealed filling station to NMDPRA

By Steve Agbota

The Operation Whirlwind unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Friday handed over a sealed petrol station identified as Adeola Ade PLC, located along Owode Apa Road Badagry, Lagos State, to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for further regulatory action and sanction.

Addressing the media during the handover process, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Kola Oladeji, stated that the filling station was sealed due to infractions inconsistent with the standards and regulations governing petroleum retail operations in Nigeria.

“It is with a deep sense of duty and commitment to National service that I stand before you today as directed by the Comptroller-General Of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi to formally hand over the sealed filling station identified as Adeola Ade PLC, located along Owode Apa Road Badagry, Lagos State, to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for further regulatory action and sanction,” he added.

According to him, this facility was sealed by operatives of Operation Whirlwind on October 4, 2025, following credible intelligence and a thorough investigation, which revealed infractions inconsistent with the standards and regulations governing petroleum retail operations in Nigeria.

“Our operatives, acting within the ambit of the law and guided by our mandate to sanitise the downstream sector, executed the sealing in a professional and transparent manner.

“Operation Whirlwind remains resolute in its mission to rid the sector of sharp practices, protect consumers, and uphold the integrity of our national energy infrastructure.

“However, we recognise that enforcement is a shared responsibility. As such, we now hand over this facility to the NMDPRA, the statutory body empowered to investigate, sanction, and ensure compliance with industry regulations. We trust that the Authority will carry out its mandate with fairness, diligence, and in accordance with due process,” he added.

He said let this handover serve as a clear message to all operators in the sector: non-compliance will not be tolerated, and collaboration among agencies will continue to strengthen enforcement.

However, It is pertinent to note, the critical roles played by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in strategic intelligence guidance, and overarching policy support under the leadership of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for his strong commitment to addressing security challenges in Nigeria, the Comptroller-General Of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his entire management team for their unwavering support for this operation, the Service hopeful for continued collaboration and sustained commitment to its success.

“Equally commendable is the NMDPRA, whose technical expertise and regulatory framework have ensured that our actions align with best practices while addressing the systemic challenges within the petroleum supply chain, as well as the dedicated personnel of Operation Whirlwind and patriotic Nigerians who continue to stand with us in the pursuit of a resolute mission to dismantle smuggling networks and bring economic saboteurs to justice.”

Ivy Agboselobo, Head, Retain Infrastructure of NMDPRA, said that the sealed filling station will be sanctioned accordingly.

She commended Customs for carrying out its operations diligently and professionally.