By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has condemned the latest increase in petrol prices across Nigeria, calling for urgent intervention by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to halt further escalation.

In a statement dated April 30, 2026 and signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the group linked the hike to a recent adjustment by Dangote Refinery, noting that pump prices had risen to between N1,365 and N1,370 per litre in Abuja.

“The abrupt hike in petrol prices represents nothing short of an economic ambush on Nigerians,” the statement said.

HURIWA stated that the development reflects “the absence of any meaningful regulatory safeguards to protect the public,” noting that marketers adjusted pump prices “within hours” of the refinery’s gantry price increase.

“This development is not just another price increase; it is a direct attack on the survival of millions,” the group added, warning that the impact would extend across multiple sectors of the economy.

The organisation said small businesses dependent on petrol-powered operations could face shutdowns.

“Barbing salons, welding workshops, small-scale manufacturers, transport operators, and petty traders… will be forced to shut down,” it stated, adding that such closures could trigger “a surge in unemployment.”

HURIWA also questioned the rationale for the increase, citing Nigeria’s status as an oil-producing country.

“It is both shocking and unacceptable that Nigeria… has become a global symbol of energy imbalance where citizens pay high prices for a resource the country produces,” the statement said.

The group accused the refinery of exploiting global conditions, stating that the increase “raises serious questions about market fairness, transparency, and the emergence of monopolistic tendencies in the downstream petroleum sector.”

It also criticised the Federal Government’s response, noting “apparent silence and inaction” in the face of rising fuel costs.

“The failure to regulate or respond decisively… sends a troubling message that the suffering of Nigerians is no longer a priority,” it said.

HURIWA called on the President to “immediately intervene to halt the escalation of petrol prices,” urging the government to introduce “price stabilisation mechanisms and enforce strict regulatory oversight.”

The group further demanded “a transparent audit of pricing structures within the petroleum sector,” insisting that policies must prioritise consumer welfare.

“The continuation of these policies will not only wipe out businesses but plunge millions further into hardship,” the statement added, warning that the situation could deepen economic challenges if not addressed.