Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
A sudden and unexplained closure of filling stations has thrown parts of Northeast Nigeria into a fresh fuel crisis, threatening to reverse the region’s fragile economic recovery and paralyze daily life. The development has sparked anxiety among residents and commercial transporters who depend on a steady supply of petrol for their livelihoods.
The crisis, which began on Wednesday, continued through Thursday, few stations that remained open. Many others were shut, their gates locked without any official explanation to the public, leaving motorists and business owners in a state of confusion and frustration.
In Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, the situation has caused significant disruption. A commercial tricycle Keke Napep rider, who spoke anonymously, voiced the concerns of many “Since Wednesday, most filling stations have been closed. Even today, Thursday, stations we believe have fuel in their tanks are not selling. We have no idea what is happening.”
The sentiment was echoed by Sani Mohammed, a motorist who expressed his exhaustion after a futile search for fuel. “I have visited more than six filling stations scouting for fuel, but all were closed. There was no circular or announcement to tell us why,” he lamented.
The scarcity is a painful reminder of past hardships for many. As resident Saminu Hassan noted, “Fuel scarcity had become history in Nigeria since the removal of subsidy by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” Its sudden return raises fears of increased transportation costs, higher prices for goods and services, and a general stagnation of economic activities in a region still rebuilding from over a decade of insurgency.
In a parallel energy crisis, residents of Kano are grappling with an acute scarcity and a sharp surge in the price of Liquefied Natural Gas LPG), commonly known as cooking gas. Over the past five days, the metropolis has witnessed a drastic drop in supply, leading to long queues at dispensing plants and a price hike of approximately 25 percent.
Investigations reveal that the price of one kilogram of cooking gas has skyrocketed, now selling for between N1,800 and N2,000, depending on the location. This surge has made refilling a standard 12.5kg cylinder prohibitively expensive, costing between N20,000 and N25,000. Just days ago, the same quantities were sold for N1,200 per kg and N14,000 for a 12.5kg cylinder.
The crisis is severely impacting households and businesses. Ibrahim Baba, a fast food seller in Rijiyar Zaki, said the price hike is causing a heavy drain on his pocket. “Cooking gas price has increased drastically. We are now buying it at N1,500 per kilogramme due to the scarcity,” he stated.
Michelle Emeka, a resident of the Sabon Gari area, shared her experience after purchasing a three kilogram cylinder for N6,000. She attributed the hardship to a severe drop in supply. ” Saying that these kind of queue I have never seen this before,” she said, pointing to the crowded gas station.
The twin crises of fuel scarcity in the Northeast and cooking gas shortages in Kano have created a perfect storm of economic pressure, calling for urgent clarification from authorities and swift intervention to alleviate the suffering of millions of citizens.