Residents in border communities between Nigeria and Benin Republic in Ogun State are facing a severe fuel crisis, with prices reaching up to N2000 per litre. This exorbitant cost is attributed to a combination of factors, including limited supply and illegal activities.Currently, only four fuel stations—Lafems Oil, Mobil Fuelling Station, Oppresso Oil and Gas, and Somolab Fuelling Station—are licensed by the Nigerian government to sell petrol in these border areas. Despite these stations offering fuel at N1200 to N1300 per litre, black marketers exploit the situation, selling petrol at inflated prices of N2000 per litre.The situation has worsened due to smuggling and the historical ban imposed in 2019 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, which restricted fuel supply to stations within 20km of the border to curb diversion to neighboring countries. While some waivers were later granted, the number of licensed stations remains insufficient for the large population in these areas.Imoleayo Mawutin, Chairman of the Ipokia Local Government Youth Forum, highlighted the inadequacy of the current supply infrastructure. With a population exceeding 350,000, the community is served by only four petrol stations, while the weekly fuel supply of 180,000 litres is reportedly siphoned off to Benin Republic and black marketers.Residents now have to travel over 30km to Owode township in another local government to purchase fuel, often facing harassment and confiscation by customs officials. This situation has disrupted local businesses, healthcare services, and agriculture, forcing many to rely on overpriced fuel from black marketers.Mawutin has called for the government to lift the border fuel ban and expand the number of authorized filling stations to alleviate the crisis. The current conditions have significantly impacted daily life, with many struggling to afford basic fuel needs amid a surge in prices driven by both local and cross-border smuggling.