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Parts of Benue state saw evident rage on Saturday due to the fact that the majority of the state's petrol outlets charge between N980 and N1,100 per litre.
Prior to the abrupt change to the new prices, independent marketers' filling stations sold petrol for between N850 and N950 per litre, while black marketers sold it for N1,000.
Apart from the NNPC Mega station, which rarely has petrol available for sale to the general public but does so when supplies are available at N617 a litre, the majority of filling stations in Makurdi and other large towns in the state charged N980 and N1,100 to irate drivers and motorbike riders for the fuel.
An enraged commercial motorbike operator who only identified himself as Christopher claimed that the constant increase in petrol pump prices was making life unpleasant for him and his family.
He grumbled that he had purchased the goods at a local filling station for N850 per litre the day before, but when he returned to fill his tank for the day's business, he noticed that the pump price had been increased to N980 per litre.
He stated, "We didn't see this coming. This government intends to impoverish Nigerians even more. What's our sin? Were we wrong to vote for them?
"How can any decent administration put Nigerians to this unimaginable amount of suffering? Every penny we earn goes towards the purchase of fuel. This is unjust to poor Nigerians. This government is not responding to the cries of poor Nigerians.
"Everything that makes life worthwhile is becoming increasingly expensive for the average person. We are unable to feed our families, our children are dropping out of school, and people refuse to return to the hospital if they become ill because they cannot afford care. Is this what they promised us in the election?
"With this, how can anyone argue that the growing food process will slow down? This government has failed the people, and we will not forget the traumatic experience that they are forcing us to go through.
Also, a commercial bus driver, Comrade Odeka, was heard expressing frustration and anger over the constant increase in the pump price of petrol since the coming of the current administration, saying, "We are tired of this government; they are devoid of ideas and do not know how to govern the country.
"Why is the government punishing Nigerians? They are oblivious to Nigerians' plight. We bought fuel for as much as N850 per litre a few days ago; today I'm paying N980, and if you go beyond the state capital, fuel can be sold for as much as N1,100, with black marketers charging N1,200 per litre. Politicians want us to assume that the government has good intentions for Nigerians.
"This is not what they promised us during the election, and it is unfortunate that we are experiencing such extreme poverty. This government is unfair to Nigerians."