Drivers in Benin City on Monday staged a protest along Upper Sakponba Road, blocking parts of the busy route over the sharp rise in fuel prices.
The demonstration caused major disruption, leaving commuters stranded as some were forced to trek long distances after roadblocks were mounted at key points, including Aifuwa Street and Pioneer Junction.
Transport operators also increased fares immediately, warning that passengers who insisted on old rates risked being dropped midway.
One of the protesting drivers said the situation had become unsustainable:
“We were buying fuel for N870 before the increment and we carry passengers for N500, but now we buy fuel for 1350 and still carry passengers for the same amount, how do you expect us to survive?
You buy fuel for N25,000 for a day, you balance the owner of the bus, how do you make money that you will take home to take care of your family?”
Passengers confirmed the impact, noting that routes previously costing between N500 and N700 now go as high as N1,000, depending on distance.
The protest highlights growing pressure on transport operators and commuters alike, as rising fuel costs continue to ripple through daily life.
