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Adulterated Fuel: Demand For Compensation Heightens, As Nigerians Count Losses
Following the importation of adulterated fuel into the country, which has caused major scarcity of the Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, in many cities, some stakeholders have called on the Federal Government to bear the responsibility by compensating those whose vehicles, generators and other valuables were damaged.
DAILY POST recalls that over 100 million liters of fuel recently imported into the country, were said to be adulterated, containing high methanol quantities above Nigeria’s specification.
The development resulted in long queues at fuel stations in major cities across the country. President Muhammadu Buhari had called for thorough investigation into the matter to uncover personalities involved in the importation.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, and other related agencies had blamed the unfortunate development on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
Meanwhile, the NNPC Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari shifted the blame on four oil companies: MRS, Emadeb, Brittania-U, Oando and Duke Oil.
However, with the exception of Duke Oil, the other three accused companies have all in writing, denied the allegation, thus creating more confusion in the drive to unmask shippers of the bad fuel.
DAILY POST’s finding revealed that some vehicles, particularly in the nation’s capital are already parking up following the effects of the substandard imported fuel.
A taxi driver, Mr Andrew Nwoye, who spoke to our correspondent, said the fuel pump of his car got damaged two days ago after the vehicle consumed much of the toxic fuel.
“I just woke up on Thursday and discovered that my car could not start. I did everything I could in my own little knowledge but it was still not responding until I called an expert who informed me that my fuel pump has issues.
“This government has killed us. I’m sure that if not for their bad fuel, my vehicle would have been intact. Apart from the fuel pump, I have spent a lot of money on fixing the car, including my generator”.
A tricycle (Keke napep) driver, Mr Ayuba also said himself and others have been servicing their vehicles more frequently than before since the fuel issues began.
“I just noticed recently that my ‘Keke’ does not sound very well like before; I was advised to service it two days ago and the same thing has started again,” he lamented.
Another commercial driver, Amos Akogwu told our correspondent that he has abandoned his vehicle which he referred to as his only source of income in a mechanic village due to several faults emanating from the adulterated fuel.
Some stakeholders who spoke with DAILY POST on Sunday, said that the Federal Government must compensate Nigerians for the damage caused by the bad fuel.
The National Coordinator of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko said there is need for the oil importers to enter into “constructive dialogues with government and the victims of their bad fuel on issues of compensations to stave off huge legal damages that may come up if the victims are forced to go to court”.
He called on the Federal Government, to as a matter of importance, work out and enforce systematic compensations of damages currently resulting from the use of the toxic fuel by Nigerians, adding that “the defaulting companies should be dragged to court by the government if they fail to compensate their victims”.
Similarly, the President General of the Coalition of Southern and Middle Belt Youth Leaders Assembly, COSMBYLA, Goodluck Egwu Ibem told DAILY POST that the Federal Government must be held responsible for the damages caused by the adulterated fuel.
Ibem, who said the government should either pay for the fixing of the damaged vehicles or replace them with new ones, said those involved in the importation of the substandard fuel must be arrested and prosecuted.
He said, “The Federal Government must take full responsibility for the damages being caused by the bad fuel. They can’t blame anybody because it is their duty to import the product.
“The Federal Government, through the NNPC, must pay damages for the havoc their actions caused Nigerians; the government officials must be forced to pay the amount Nigerians used to fix their vehicles, or better still, the FG should replace those vehicles to alleviate the suffering imposed on the owners.
“We also want those involved in these criminal activities to be arrested and prosecuted, while those that need to be sacked or suspended should be given appropriate punishment for their actions”.
Efforts by DAILY POST to speak to Kyari, NNPC boss for comment on the development, proved abortive yesterday, even as Mike Mukwuzi, of the NNPC media unit, could not take his calls.
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a couple from their residence in the Iluabo area of Akure North Local Government, Ondo State.
During the attack, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, February 21, 2026, the assailants shot one person before seizing the victims.
The gunmen had stormed Olaribigba Estate in the community when they whisked Mr Jamiu Olawale and his wife into the bush.
Following the development, which has created tension in the agrarian community, residents protested and barricaded the road leading to the community over the incessant kidnappings and insecurity in the community.
According to sources, the couple had arrived at their residence in an ash-coloured Toyota Camry when they were attacked by the gunmen, who lay in ambush for them.
During the incident, a neighbour of the abducted couple, Patrick Ilumaro, who was seated in front of his residence, was shot by the gunmen while fleeing from the community.
A neighbour of the victims revealed that Ilumaro was swiftly rushed to an undisclosed medical facility where he is currently receiving medical treatment.
While confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Command disclosed that tactical teams as well as conventional operatives have been deployed to the community.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, the operatives are already combing the axis in an effort to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
“Concerted efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe return of the abducted persons and bring those responsible to justice.
“Members of the public are urged to remain calm and go about their lawful activities. Meanwhile, the Command urges them to provide credible and actionable information that may assist in the investigation to the nearest police station.”
One person died and four others were rescued following a road accident at Ekoro Junction, Abule-Egba, on Friday evening, according to a statement from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.
The Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, made this known in a statement issued on the agency’s X handle on Saturday.
According to the agency, the crash occurred at about 7:30 p.m. when an empty MACK tanker suffered a sudden brake failure, lost control and rammed into a Toyota Corolla before crashing into a roadside shop.
LASTMA said the tanker, with registration number EKY 900 XY, collided with a Toyota Corolla marked AAA 823 AY.
The impact caused extensive structural damage to the shop and triggered panic among traders and pedestrians in the area.
“The magnitude of the collision led to the immediate confirmation of one fatality at the scene, while four other trapped persons were extricated from the wreckage through coordinated emergency rescue efforts,” the agency stated.
The authority said it immediately activated its Rescue and Recovery Protocol, deploying specialised operatives to manage the situation.
“Personnel implemented strategic traffic diversion, vehicular evacuation procedures and crowd management in synergy with other emergency responders to forestall secondary incidents and guarantee unobstructed access for rescue operations,” LASTMA added.
It stated that emergency teams carried out rescue operations and provided medical attention to the injured victims.
According to the agency, a heavy-duty tow truck was later deployed to evacuate the damaged tanker and clear debris from the road to restore normal traffic flow.
The agency disclosed that the tanker driver fled the scene shortly after the crash and security operatives have since launched efforts to apprehend the driver and initiate legal proceedings.
“Security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Ekoro Division, responded expeditiously, maintaining public order, securing the accident perimeter and assisting in investigative processes aimed at establishing the precise sequence of events that culminated in the mechanical failure and subsequent collision.
“The incident precipitated considerable traffic congestion extending across adjoining routes toward Abule-Egba, necessitating robust traffic management interventions by LASTMA officials who remained on ground directing vehicular movement and implementing diversion strategies to alleviate the backlog,” it said.
According to the agency, its General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and urged transport operators, particularly drivers of articulated vehicles, to prioritise routine vehicle maintenance.
“Preventable mechanical deficiencies remain a significant contributory factor in severe road traffic crashes,” Bakare-Oki said.
He also advised motorists to exercise vigilance, obey traffic regulations and maintain responsible driving practices, especially within densely populated commercial corridors.
Bakare-Oki assured the public that security agencies would conduct a thorough investigation to determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident and ensure that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with extant laws.
The agency said other emergency responders at the scene included the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Ambulance Service, the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit and officers of the Nigeria Police Force, collaborated to coordinate rescue, medical response and environmental safety measures.
The Department of State Services (DSS) will arraign former Governnor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, on February 25 over alleged cybercrime and breach of national security.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court has fixed the date for the arraignment of the former Governor on a three-count criminal charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) after the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho assigned the case to her.
NAN earlier reported that the DSS, on Monday, filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai following his alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The charge, instituted by the Nigerian secret police, is marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026.
The service accused El-Rufai of breaching the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act (2024) and the Nigerian Communications Act (2003.)
In court, El-Rufai was alleged to have, on Feb. 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, admitted during the interview that he and his cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, Mr Ribadu.
The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
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