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Border Town Businesses Suffer As Fuel Scarcity Persists Six Years After Buhari’s Order.
Six years after former President Muhammadu Buhari barred the supply of petrol to filling stations within 20 kilometres of Nigeria’s land borders, residents and businesses in affected communities say the policy is still causing severe hardship.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Introduced in November 2019 to curb smuggling and disrupt criminal networks, the restriction has left many border towns with limited access to fuel, soaring transport fares and heavy reliance on black market vendors.
Across Ogun State border areas such as Ipokia, Imeko-Afon, Yewa North and Yewa South, residents say the situation has crippled livelihoods despite partial waivers granted in March 2020 to 66 filling stations. The waivers, supervised by the Nigeria Customs Service and the Office of the National Security Adviser, were meant to ease shortages but locals insist the relief has been insufficient.
Community leaders recount that at the height of the crisis in 2024, petrol sold for as much as ₦2,000 per litre, while transport fares tripled. In some areas like Idiroko and Ijofin, prices ranged between ₦1,300 and ₦1,400 per litre, with black marketers sourcing fuel from distant towns for resale.
In May 2025, the Federal Government approved additional waivers for five petrol stations in Ogun State, bringing some relief as pump prices dropped to between ₦800 and ₦900 per litre, though black market sales still hover around ₦1,200. Residents say irregular supply allows hoarders to exploit shortages.
Many communities remain underserved, forcing residents to travel long distances and spend up to ₦5,000 on transport just to buy fuel. Some reportedly sleep at filling stations to secure supply. Commercial transport operators have also increased fares, passing the burden to commuters.
Traditional rulers and community leaders, including the Eselu of Eselu Kingdom, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, have urged President Bola Tinubu to lift the ban entirely, arguing that with fuel subsidy removed, the restriction is outdated and unjustified. They say the policy has disrupted economic activities and worsened insecurity in border areas.
Despite the ban, fuel smuggling persists. Over the past year, the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted thousands of litres of petrol across Ogun and Lagos border corridors, including multiple seizures under Operation Whirlwind.
Human rights advocates have also criticised the policy, describing it as discriminatory and a violation of residents’ socio-economic rights, especially in areas with poor electricity supply where petrol is essential for powering generators and small businesses. They have called on the government to strengthen border security while restoring full fuel access to affected communities.
The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has appealed to residents of Abia State and other road users along the Aba–Azumini highway to protect the newly completed road from activities that could damage it.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
FERMA’s South-East 2 Zonal Director, Suleiman Mohammed Omonowo, issued the warning during an inspection of the project, cautioning against the burning of tyres during celebrations, which he said could damage the road surface.
He noted that destructive practices by some youths and community members often contribute to the early failure of road projects across the country.
“Our advice to road users, especially indigenes, is to protect the road from destruction. Let nobody come and destroy it or burn tyres in the name of celebration,” he said.
Omonowo said the Aba–Azumini highway was previously in a very bad condition before FERMA intervened, describing it as a death trap for commuters and residents.
He also expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done on the project, adding that drainage structures such as catch pits would help prevent flooding and extend the lifespan of the road.
According to him, the highway serves as a major link between Aba, several Abia communities, and Cross River State, carrying heavy traffic daily.
He urged local construction firms to improve on quality delivery to compete effectively with foreign contractors.
Meanwhile, the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer in Abia State, Festus Okafor, said FERMA workers have not faced harassment or violence from residents during operations in the state.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Yobe State Command, has declared a 30-year-old inmate wanted after he escaped following a road accident involving a prison transport vehicle.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The incident reportedly occurred on April 13, 2026, while inmates were being conveyed from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Potiskum to Damaturu.
In a statement issued in Damaturu, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Abdullahi Adamu, said the vehicle conveying the inmates was involved in a crash during the journey.
He said the accident happened while efforts were ongoing to rescue those affected.
The escaped inmate was identified as Dahiru Mohammed, with prison number J/1539/24, who was admitted into custody on November 29, 2024.
The Correctional Service described him as dangerous and warned members of the public not to have any form of contact with him.
It urged residents to report any useful information that could lead to his re-arrest to the nearest security agency.
Authorities also cautioned that harbouring a fugitive is a criminal offence punishable under the law.
The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has ordered the University of Ibadan (UI) to reinstate three students suspended over their participation in a protest against tuition fee hikes.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Nkeonye Maha set aside the decision of the university’s Central Student Disciplinary Committee, ruling that the students were denied fair hearing during the disciplinary process.
The court held that the failure to allow the students call witnesses and present evidence violated their constitutional right to fair hearing, rendering the sanctions against them invalid.
The affected students — Aduwo Ayodele, Mide Gbadegesin, and Nice Linus — were suspended on July 14, 2025, after taking part in a protest against increased school fees approved by the university’s governing council.
Dissatisfied with the suspension, they approached the court, arguing that the disciplinary proceedings breached their fundamental rights and due process.
They asked the court to quash the suspension, reinstate their studentship, and award damages for alleged rights violations.
In her ruling, Justice Maha agreed with their arguments, stating that the university’s actions failed to meet the standards of natural justice.
Following the judgment, rights group CAPPA hailed the decision, urging the university to comply fully, reinstate the students, and issue an apology.
The group said the ruling reinforces constitutional protections for freedom of expression and serves as a warning against the suppression of student protests in tertiary institutions.
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