Transporters in Nigerian City Protest High Fuel Costs, Disrupting Services
In a bid to draw attention to the increasing cost of fuel, commercial transporters in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, Nigeria, went on strike on Thursday, disrupting services across the city. The protesting transporters, which include okada riders, tricyclists, and other intra-city commercial vehicle operators, were unhappy about the high cost of petrol, which has skyrocketed to between N1,100 and N1,200 per litre, exceeding the official price of N895 announced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The strike started at around 7:00 am, with protesters refusing to operate their vehicles. As a result, many passengers were forced to disembark and trek to their destinations. The action of the transporters also forced some filling stations in Ilorin to shut down, fearing that their facilities could be attacked and vandalized.
Private motorists were, however, allowed to move freely, while commercial shop owners in the city closed their businesses to prevent looting if the situation escalated. The Kwara State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Ejire Adeyemi Toun, could not be reached for comments at the time of filing this report.
The protesters’ action has caused hardship for many commuters in the city, who are left with no choice but to trek long distances to their destinations. The strike is a clear indication of the deep-seated frustration among the transporters, who feel that the high cost of fuel is affecting their ability to operate their businesses sustainably.
As the country continues to grapple with fuel scarcity and rising costs, the strike by transporters in Ilorin highlights the need for the government to address the issue to prevent further disruptions to essential services.
