- Petrol Price Hits ₦1,700 in Makurdi.
- Strike stems from unpaid compensation for a hijacked petrol truck.
- Residents rely on black market as transport costs sharply increase
Residents of Makurdi, Benue State, are facing a petrol crisis as prices soared to ₦1,700 per litre on Tuesday following a three-day warning strike by petroleum marketers.
Many filling stations shut down operations, forcing motorists and commercial motorcyclists to rely on black market sellers, where prices ranged between ₦1,600 and ₦1,700.
The strike was declared in solidarity with the Petrol Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). According to a member of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), who spoke anonymously, the action was a collective decision among marketers.
“The leadership of NUPENG and IPMAN approached the government over unresolved issues but were ignored.
We agreed to embark on a three-day warning strike, directing all station managers to shut down outlets. Anyone caught selling fuel would be fined ₦500,000,” the marketer explained.
The dispute stems from a longstanding incident in which youths attacked a petrol-laden truck along the Makurdi-Aliade road, siphoning its contents. The previous government had pledged compensation to the affected truck owners and companies but failed to deliver before leaving office.
However, Benue State Chairman of NUPENG, Terfa Iorhule, claimed he was not fully aware of the strike, stating from Lagos, “I only heard of the strike but have not confirmed it yet.”
The situation has worsened transport costs across the city, with residents expressing frustration over the sudden spike in fuel prices and uncertainty about possible escalation if the strike continues beyond the initial three days.
