Rita Odafe
In Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, commercial transport providers ceased their services on Thursday to protest the exorbitant petrol prices affecting their businesses.
Motorcycle riders, tricycle operators, and other local transporters within the city were compelled to stop operating by their disgruntled colleagues who expressed discontent over the soaring fuel costs.
Passengers using motorcycles and tricycles were forcibly asked to alight and continue their journey on foot.
The price of fuel in the state capital has risen to between N1,100 and N1,200 per liter, surpassing the NNPC’s stipulated price of N895.
This protest commenced around 7:00 am and led some filling stations in Ilorin to suspend fuel sales due to fears of potential violence and property damage.
Due to this disruption, several commuters were left stranded and had to trek long distances to reach their destinations, while private vehicle owners faced no impediments.
Reports from Daily Post indicate that some business owners in Ilorin also shut down their shops to prevent potential theft in case the situation escalated.
Efforts to contact the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, DSP Ejire Adeyemi Toun, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
