Fuel Crisis in Lagos: Illegal Petrol Sales Rise as Prices Soar

Since the fuel crisis began in July, many petrol stations in Lagos have stayed closed, while those still open are seeing long lines of cars and buses.

The problem got worse when the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) increased the price of petrol to ₦897 per litre.

As people struggle to buy fuel, illegal sellers have started offering petrol on the streets at much higher prices. For example, when petrol was selling for ₦564 per litre at stations, street sellers in Lagos were charging ₦5,000 for just five litres.

These street sellers see the fuel shortage as a chance to make quick money by offering petrol to people who don’t want to wait in long lines.

Some of them even believe they are helping, but they often forget the legal risks involved.

On Friday, September 6, 2024, the Lagos State Government Task Force arrested six people for selling petrol illegally during the shortage.

They were caught selling petrol at high prices in areas like Fadeyi, Maryland, Charity Bus Stop, and Airport Road.

The head of the Task Force, CSP Adetayo Akerele, led the operation and warned that selling fuel like this is dangerous.

“These black market sellers are not only being unfair, but they also risk causing serious accidents by handling petrol improperly,” Akerele said.

While the arrests were made for safety reasons, the law in Nigeria also makes it clear that selling petrol without a license is a crime.

According to Section 17 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, anyone selling petrol without permission could be sentenced to life in prison, and any vehicles used in the illegal sale could be taken by the government.

In short, even though there’s a fuel shortage, selling petrol illegally on the streets is not allowed, and those who do it could face serious legal punishment.