Commercial bus drivers in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, on Tuesday embarked on an indefinite strike to protest the persistent hike in fuel prices.

The drivers reportedly withdrew their services at about 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2026, saying they could no longer cope with the sudden increase in the pump price of petrol from about ₦876 per litre to as high as ₦1,350.

The development left many commuters stranded in parts of the city, including Orji, Owerri Municipal, and Mbaise areas.

One of the drivers, Chidi Njoku, who spoke with reporters at the Orji axis of Owerri, appealed to the government to urgently intervene, lamenting that the rising fuel price has made it almost impossible for transport operators to remain in business.

“We cannot continue like this. The price of fuel keeps increasing and transport fares cannot match the cost. The government needs to step in,” he said.

Also speaking, a mother of four and market trader at New Market Owerri, Mrs. Roseline Edi, expressed frustration over the situation, noting that the surge in fuel prices has worsened economic hardship for many families.

According to her, the cost of goods in the market has also begun to rise due to the increased cost of transportation.

“The price of fuel affects everything. Now the prices of food and other items in the market are going up because transporters are paying more for fuel,” she said.

Prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, have continued to rise sharply in Owerri and its surrounding areas.

Checks at several filling stations across the city on Tuesday showed wide variations in pump prices, with most stations selling petrol above ₦1,300 per litre.

At Ebere Links Filling Station in Owerri, a litre of petrol sells for ₦1,350, while Ukoromi Filling Station also dispenses the product at ₦1,350 per litre.

Similarly, One More Global Filling Station located in Irete now sells petrol at ₦1,300 per litre. Ganiru Filling Station along Airport Road, Owerri, offers the product at about ₦1,350 per litre.

At Bonzure Filling Station on MCC Road, Owerri, a litre of petrol sells for ₦1,250, while other stations across the city display varying prices, reflecting the growing instability in the local fuel market. (Adapted from a Nigerian Tribune report.

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