Fuel Scarcity Worsens in Sokoto as Marketers Accused of Hoarding Petrol

Severe petrol shortages have crippled daily life across Sokoto metropolis and neighbouring communities, as residents accuse fuel marketers of deliberately creating artificial scarcity, pushing prices far beyond the official pump rate.

For several days, most filling stations in the state capital have remained shut, while the few still dispensing fuel sell at exorbitant prices, triggering transportation gridlock, inflated fares, and economic disruptions.

By 7 a.m., long queues already stretch for hundreds of meters at the few open stations, with motorists and tricycle operators waiting for hours in the scorching sun.

“I got here around 7 a.m., but this is 11 a.m., and I’m still on the queue,” complained Sani Abubakar, a commercial driver at a station along Gusau Road. “The attendants only sell to those who pay extra or know someone inside. It’s frustrating.”

The crisis has forced many transporters off the roads, leaving commuters to bear the brunt. Fares for short distances within Sokoto metropolis have doubled or tripled in recent days.

“I used to pay ₦300 from Gwiwa to Sokoto Central Market, but now they’re asking for ₦600,” lamented Safiya Ibrahim, a petty trader. “We’re suffering. Government should intervene before things get worse.”

Investigations revealed that while some independent marketers claim to have run out of stock, others are allegedly hoarding petrol in anticipation of a possible price adjustment linked to the ongoing PENGASSAN–Dangote dispute.

The closure of stations has fuelled a booming black market, where petrol now sells for as high as ₦1,800 per litre.

Civil society groups have condemned the situation, accusing certain marketers of exploiting the public.

“The hardship is unnecessary and man-made,” said Comrade Abdullahi Aliyu, a member of a local advocacy group. “Authorities must act swiftly to sanction any marketer found guilty of hoarding or manipulating supply.”

As the crisis deepens, transport operators, traders, and residents continue to count their losses, while the silence from authorities has heightened public frustration and anxiety.

Unless swift action is taken to restore supply and punish erring marketers, analysts warn that the fuel crisis in Sokoto could worsen, aggravating the state’s already fragile economic conditions.

Opinion Nigeria News