By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa

Commercial drivers in Benin City, Edo State, have staged a major protest against the sudden spike in petrol prices. The demonstration centered along Upper Sakponba Road, a vital transport corridor in the state capital.

Protesters caused massive gridlock by blocking key sections of the road with their vehicles.

Major intersections like Aifuwa Street and Pioneer Junction were shut down, bringing local commercial activities and movement to a complete standstill.

The drivers’ primary grievance was the jump in fuel prices from N870 to as high as N1,350 per litre. They argued this 55% increase makes their businesses unsustainable and threatens their ability to provide for their families.

During the demonstration, drivers demanded an immediate, uniform increase in transport fares across the city. They insisted that previous rates were no longer realistic and called for a collective effort to enforce higher charges.

The situation turned tense as protesters forced passengers to disembark from buses operating at old rates. Some commuters were told they could only continue their journeys if they agreed to pay additional surcharges mid-trip.

With services withdrawn and roads blocked, thousands of commuters were left stranded.

Many workers, students, and traders were forced to trek long distances in the heat to reach their destinations due to the lack of transport.

A driver named John lamented that charging N500 for certain trips is no longer viable with the new fuel costs. He highlighted the struggle of meeting daily vehicle “delivery” fees while trying to cover rising personal expenses.

The impact of the hike was immediate, with fares spontaneously climbing across Benin City. Trips that previously cost between N500 and N700 quickly rose to a range of N800 to N1,000 as the energy crisis took hold.

The protest has intensified local anxiety over the soaring cost of living. Residents are now urging the government to intervene and stabilize fuel prices to prevent further economic hardship and a total collapse of the transport sector.