Photo: Hope Uzodinma, Imo State Gov
By Mandy Park
Commercial bus drivers in Imo State on Tuesday withdrew their services indefinitely in protest against the sharp increase in the price of petrol, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded across major parts of the state.
The drivers reportedly halted operations around 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2026, following a sudden rise in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from ₦876 to about ₦1,350 per litre in several filling stations across the state.
The development disrupted transportation in key areas of Owerri, including Orji, the Owerri municipal axis, and parts of Mbaise, where commuters were seen waiting for long hours at bus stops with no commercial vehicles available.
Many residents heading to work, schools and markets were forced to trek long distances or resort to commercial motorcycles and tricycles, which quickly increased their fares due to the surge in demand.
Speaking with journalists at the Orji motor park in Owerri, a commercial bus driver, Chidi Njoku, said the drivers could no longer operate profitably under the current fuel price regime.
“We cannot continue like this. We buy petrol at over ₦1,300 per litre, yet passengers complain when we increase transport fares. It is becoming impossible for us to run our vehicles,” Njoku said.
He appealed to the government to urgently intervene by addressing the rising cost of fuel and providing relief for transport operators.
The drivers also complained that the rising cost of fuel had led to frequent increases in transport fares, often resulting in disagreements between drivers and passengers.
Some commuters who spoke to reporters described the situation as frustrating, noting that the sudden withdrawal of services had disrupted their daily activities.
A civil servant, who identified herself as Mrs. Ngozi Okafor, said she waited for more than an hour at a bus stop before eventually hiring a commercial motorcycle to get to work.
“This is becoming too difficult for ordinary Nigerians. Transportation alone now takes a large part of our salaries,” she lamented.
Transport union officials in the state were said to be meeting with drivers to assess the situation and possibly engage relevant authorities.
The fuel price hike comes amid ongoing economic pressures in Nigeria, where transport operators across several states have repeatedly warned that rising fuel costs could trigger service disruptions and higher transport fares.
As of the time of filing this report, the Imo State Government had yet to issue an official statement on the protest by the bus drivers, while commuters continue to face severe transportation challenges across the state.
