Residents of border communities between Nigeria and Benin Republic in Ogun State have expressed concern over the steep rise in the price of petrol, which has soared to N2,000 per litre in some locations.
This sharp increase is severely impacting daily life in areas like Idiroko, Ijofin, Agosasa, Ipokia, Iwoye Ketu, Tube, Oniro, Araromi Ofo, Ilate, Ohunbo, Agada, Maahun, and Tungeji across Ipokia and Imeko Afon Local Government Areas, leaving residents grappling with financial hardship.
Only four filling stations—Olafems Oil, Mobil Fueling Station, Oppresso Oil and Gas, and Somolab Fueling Station—are authorized by the Federal Government to sell petrol in these areas.
While these authorized stations sell fuel for between N1,200 and N1,300 per litre, black market sellers are charging between N1,500 and N2,000 per litre.
The surge in fuel prices has been linked to the smuggling of petrol across the border, where it fetches higher prices.
In 2019, former President Muhammadu Buhari banned the supply of petroleum products to petrol stations within 20 kilometers of Nigeria’s borders in an effort to curb the diversion of fuel to neighboring countries.
Though the Buhari administration later allowed a limited number of filling stations to sell fuel in border communities, the number remains insufficient for the population in these areas.
