Commuters stranded as transporters protest fuel price hike in Ilorin

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

Commuters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, were left stranded on Thursday as transporters staged a protest over the hike in fuel prices.

Fuel stations within the Ilorin metropolis were either shut down or sold fuel at exorbitant prices, with some charging as much as N1,200 per litre. This triggered outrage among transporters, who subsequently declared a strike in the city.

The protesting transporters, including motorcyclists, tricyclists, and taxi drivers, were forced to halt their services by the transport unions’ taskforce, which removed passengers from vehicles.

The unions’ taskforce was strategically positioned from 8:00 a.m. at major junctions in the city to enforce the strike, which lasted until late in the afternoon. Key locations affected by the protest included Geri-Alimi, Post Office, Muritala, Offa-Garage, and Asadam, among others.

A commuter, Mr. Ismael Alao, expressed frustration, stating, “I left home for work as usual but couldn’t find a tricycle to take me from Offa-Garage to Adeta. I had to walk until I reached Olorunsogo, where I found a private motorcyclist who charged me an exorbitant fee.”

Similarly, another commuter, Miss Ola Alabi, lamented the hours she spent stranded on the roadside, unable to find a taxi or tricycle to take her to her destination.