The activities of some tanker drivers have drawn concerns from residents and stakeholders. Tanker drivers ensure the transportation and delivery of petroleum products from depots to fuel stations, supporting steady supply and accessibility across regions.
Several complaints have emerged, detailing a pattern of sharp practices, theft, and alleged collusion in fuel-related fraud across these states.
One Lagos resident, Engr Charles Adewale, expressed his dismay, recounting how tanker drivers often steal petroleum products and sell to black marketers near depot vicinities. “These drivers are sabotaging our economy,” he said.
“They disappear with thousands of litres, creating artificial scarcity and inflating prices. It’s painful that some of them are involved in illegal sales instead of delivering the fuel to designated stations.”
In Sagamu, Mrs. Kadri S. Olubunmi, a fuel station manager, highlighted the issue of collusion between tanker drivers and depot loaders. “They don’t just steal; they work with insiders to load less fuel than the truck’s actual capacity. This way, they can resell the remainder to others for money. It’s theft in broad daylight,” she lamented. She explained how her station has frequently received short-loaded supplies, impacting her business negatively.
At the border areas, another complainant, Mr. Okezie, spoke of a more sinister form of collusion: “They connive with heavily armed hijackers, sacrificing their trucks to thieves. But, the owners aren’t left out; these drivers are often compensated after the trucks are hijacked.” Okezie explained that this collaboration increases the danger and risks on highways, as unsuspecting travelers are sometimes caught in the violent encounters between hijackers and the drivers.
In Kogi, Ms. Fatima Omale, a business owner, narrated a disturbing trend where tanker drivers deliberately spill petroleum products on the road, later claiming it was an accident. “They do this to fake losses, but in truth, they’ve sold most of the products beforehand. We see accidents happen frequently, and it’s often due to these drivers’ manipulative tactics,” she said. “This negligence not only causes environmental hazards but also puts countless lives at risk.”
These recurring practices have led to concerns, with many calling for urgent action from authorities to regulate tanker drivers’ activities and enforce stricter sanctions.
The ongoing graft and manipulation within the petroleum transport sector have only deepened the challenges faced by Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, leaving citizens to bear the consequences.
