Two filling stations in Ogun State have been shut down by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for cheating customers and breaking petroleum industry regulations.
The affected stations, Mangarborn Energy and Mobil Filling Station, are located in the Akute/Ajuwon area of Ifo Local Government Area. The enforcement operation was carried out by officials from the NMDPRA Abeokuta Field Office as part of efforts to protect consumers and ensure that fuel marketers obey the law.
According to the authority, the stations were caught under-dispensing fuel, meaning customers paid for more fuel than they actually received. The regulator also accused one of the stations of removing official seals placed on the facility and reopening for business without approval.
Speaking during the enforcement exercise, the Head of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, Olufemi Adebowale, said the action became necessary because the stations repeatedly ignored regulatory rules despite several warnings.
He explained that under-dispensing is a serious offence because it cheats members of the public. He added that once a filling station is sealed by the regulatory authority, it must remain closed until permission is given to resume operations. Any attempt to remove the official seal and continue business is a direct violation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
Adebowale revealed that the authority had been monitoring one of the stations since 2025 due to repeated violations. Despite being sanctioned several times, the station allegedly continued to break the rules.
According to him, records show that the station had been sealed at least six times but repeatedly removed the authority’s seals and reopened without approval. He also said the operators ignored several invitations from the regulator to explain their actions.
The NMDPRA stated that the filling stations will remain closed until they meet all the conditions set by the authority. These conditions include paying the required penalties and complying fully with petroleum regulations.
The regulator also disclosed that it is considering suspending the operating licences of the affected stations. Adebowale stressed that the decision would depend on approval from the agency’s management.
He warned that any future attempt by the operators to tamper with government seals or reopen illegally would lead to criminal prosecution.
The agency used the enforcement exercise to remind all fuel marketers across the country to comply with the Petroleum Industry Act. It stressed that businesses that follow the rules have nothing to fear, while those involved in fraudulent practices or other forms of non-compliance will face strict penalties.
The NMDPRA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting consumers from exploitation and ensuring fairness in the distribution and sale of petroleum products. It also encouraged members of the public to report any filling station suspected of cheating customers or violating fuel regulations.
