Sokoto residents should get ready for major transportation disruptions as members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers have started shutting down filling stations across the state capital. On Monday, union officers were seen closing various petrol outlets and stopping the movement of petroleum tankers along major routes, including Gusau Road and other key highways linking Sokoto to neighbouring states.
According to eyewitnesses, leaves and barricades were placed as strategic points to disrupt the supply and distribution of petrol within the metropolis.
While NUPENG reps refused to speak to the press on site, an enforcement member, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “We received an instruction from our national leaders at midnight to enforce this shutdown.
We are only carrying out orders.”
Reacting to the latest development, a commercial tricycle operator, Bello Musa, revealed that despite leaving his house early in search of his daily bread, he was disappointed to see all the closed filling stations.
He concluded by saying that he has been forced to deal with the harsh reality without knowing the reason for the strike.
“I came out early to work and found that most filling stations are closed.
If this continues, transport fares will go up, and it will affect everybody. We don’t even know the reason for this strike,” Bello said.
As of the time of this report, NUPENG’s national leadership has yet to release any official statement to explain the reason for the directive.
The decision has left motorists and business owners uncertain about when normal fuel supply operations will resume.
