Motorists abandon vehicles in Borno as fuel prices surge

A fresh wave of fuel price hikes has forced private motorists to abandon their vehicles and stay off the roads in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The pump price for petrol in the metropolis recently surged from N1,430 to upwards of N1,510 per litre, an economic squeeze that pushed everyday mobility out of reach.

Our correspondent, who went around the street, reports that where bustling weekday traffic is typically the norm, streets now feature noticeably fewer cars.

“A lot of people have parked their cars because of the increase in fuel prices. It has also reduced the movement of people,” said one Maiduguri resident who parked his vehicle at home.

Another resident, Musa Iliya, said the sharp increase in fuel prices is compounding an already difficult economic climate.

Modu Ali, another resident, noted that the financial strain has left many of his peers with no viable alternatives.

“Some of my friends and colleagues are distressed by the increase in fuel prices to N1,500 per litre, because earning money has become difficult,” Ali said. “So, they have no choice but to park their cars.”

As the burden deepens, citizens are urgently appealing to the federal and state governments to intervene.

He noted widespread concerns that the hike will trigger a domino effect, driving up transportation fares and the cost of essential food commodities.

Echoing this sentiment, Modu Ali added, “It would be good if the government reduces the price so that life can become easier for us because things are hard right now.”

Some residents argue that more drastic measures are needed to alleviate the current hardship.

Gambo Mohammed suggested that reinstating fuel subsidies is the only viable path forward for struggling households.

Commercial transportation fares within the city have largely remained unchanged for now, with Zulum’s Metro buses charging N50, while tricycle (Keke) operators continue to charge around N300 per trip.