Customs hands over sealed Badagry filling station to NMDPRA

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through its Operation Whirlwind unit, has handed over a sealed petrol station—Adeola Ade Plc, located along Owode-Apa Road in Badagry, Lagos State—to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for further regulatory action.

Speaking during the handover on Friday, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Kola Oladeji, said the filling station was shut down for violating petroleum retail operation standards and regulations.

According to Oladeji, the sealing of the facility followed credible intelligence and a detailed investigation conducted by operatives of Operation Whirlwind on October 4, 2025.

The investigation uncovered serious infractions contrary to national petroleum retailing guidelines.

“Our officers acted within the confines of the law and in line with our mandate to sanitise the downstream sector.

“The operation was carried out professionally and transparently,” he stated.

Oladeji reiterated the commitment of Operation Whirlwind to eliminating sharp practices in the sector, protecting consumers, and safeguarding the integrity of the country’s energy infrastructure.

He emphasized that the handover to NMDPRA serves as a strong warning to other operators that non-compliance will not be tolerated, while also highlighting the importance of inter-agency collaboration in ensuring effective enforcement.

Receiving the sealed station, the Head of Retail Infrastructure at NMDPRA, Ivy Agboselobo, said appropriate sanctions would be applied in line with regulatory provisions.

She commended the Customs Service for its professionalism and diligence in carrying out the operation, noting that such synergy between agencies is vital for maintaining order and accountability in the petroleum downstream sector.