Hardship caused by rising fuel prices has continued to increase in Edo State, prompting residents to blame black marketers and protest in Benin City on Monday, writes Adeyinka Adepide. When the broadcast announcing the protest against the fuel price hike was made through several online platforms on Sunday, Benin City residents knew what to expect on January 30, the day set aside by civil‑society organisations for the demonstration. The tone of the message indicated that the organisers were ready to shut down the city to press home their demand for a reduction in the price of fuel, which was selling for over N500 per litre.
In an online pamphlet, the organisers listed the protest sites: the main gate of the University of Benin (Ugbowo), Sapele Road by Limit Junction, Ramat by Aduwawa, Ring Road, Adesuwa by Government Reserved Area, Country Home Road by Ugbor Road, Ogheghe by Sapale Road Bypass, Edo Street in Irhirhi, and Plymouth Road off Ekhehuan Road. On the day of the protest, most private schools remained closed. School authorities sent text messages to parents as early as 6 a.m., notifying them that classes would not hold and urging them to keep their children at home. Motorists who ventured out displayed leaves on their windscreens in solidarity, while others stayed indoors—a sensible decision given the circumstances.
To prevent a breakdown in law and order, a heavy presence of security operatives was deployed on Ring Road and other protest areas, as well as in other parts of the town. The state government was prepared to ensure that the protest would not be hijacked by hoodlums. On Tuesday, reports emerged that hoodlums on Evbuotubu and Ugbuyioko roads were burning tyres on tarred roads in an attempt to hijack the protest, and the Uselu axis on the Lagos‑Benin Expressway was blocked by a mob. Security operatives and Edo State civil‑society organisations, led by former General Coordinator Comrade Omobude Agho, intervened to disperse the agitators and remind protesters of the need to remain peaceful.
Agho said those burning tyres could not be described as hoodlums but rather as aggrieved members of the public who felt that this was the only way to express their grievances. He linked the unrest to unfulfilled promises by both state and federal governments. “The protest, though suspended, has been very effective because the government issued a statement addressing the situation for the first time since the fuel crisis began,” he said. He added that meetings with the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nekhihare, and the Mining and Energy Commissioner, Ethan Uzamere, resulted in decisions to find a solution. Agho urged the government to curb black marketers, who he said collude with unscrupulous fuel‑station attendants. “Black marketers should be discouraged so that fuel stays at the stations where people can buy it. Anyone who is wicked, whether poor or rich, is wicked. Wherever we catch a black marketer, we will seize the fuel and convert it; if you have nothing to do with the fuel, throw it away,” he declared. He warned that stations selling above the federally agreed price would be picketed.
Speaker of the Talakawa Parliament, Kola Edokpayi, explained that the protest stemmed from the frustrating situation confronting the state’s people. “Fuel is selling for between N350 and N700 at stations, while black marketers charge N1000. This is only happening in Edo; in many states the product is sold at its normal price,” he said. Protesters took their grievances to the government house, where they were received by State House of Assembly Speaker Hon. Marcus Onobun and submitted a communiqué. Hours later, the government announced the formation of a Petroleum Monitoring Committee, which the protesters welcomed. The protest was suspended on Tuesday, but some individuals continued to burn tyres in various areas. Edokpayi noted that security operatives have the power to arrest anyone attempting to hijack the protest.
In an effort to boost availability and reduce price, the Edo State Government announced on Tuesday that it had received 780,000 litres of fuel, assuring the public that the crisis would end. The task force set up to monitor distribution and sale at fuel stations has begun work. At a press conference, Mining and Energy Commissioner Ethan Uzamere said the supplied product would be distributed among major and independent marketers, and the state would monitor sales to prevent exploitation. Commissioner Chris Nekhihare emphasized that no litre of the 780,000 would be diverted and praised civil‑society organisations for their mature handling of the protest, promising continued engagement with all stakeholders.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Osagie, said the task force would also monitor pricing. “We will warn anyone who jacks up prices that they will be severely punished according to the law. The government will not take prisoners in that regard; no Edo person will be exploited,” he asserted. Motorist Niyi Ololade expressed dismay at the situation, saying he could not afford fuel priced over N500 per litre and was forced to queue at the NNPC mega station. He called on the government to find a solution before the problem worsens. A businesswoman on Lagos Street, who asked to remain anonymous, said the protest compounded the naira‑swap issue, making business dull for about five days. She noted that fear of hoodlums masquerading as protesters kept her from opening early, and even though the protest was suspended, she remains cautious.
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