Residents of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, are facing a shortage of cooking gas following the closure of several retail outlets due to a lack of supplies.
The disruption has forced households to visit multiple gas stations in search of the product, with some residents travelling long distances without success as the scarcity persists.
The situation became particularly noticeable on Sunday, when commercial transport operators assisting residents with refilling their gas cylinders reportedly returned empty-handed after visiting several outlets.
Major retailers, including A.A. Rano, Zenigid Gas Station, Hesan Gas Station, Machar Gas Station and Maidoki Gas Station, were reportedly out of stock, with their premises closed to customers.
Amid the shortage, Matrix Energy Limited was identified as the only outlet dispensing cooking gas in the city on Sunday. The development reportedly triggered long queues and congestion as consumers rushed to obtain supplies.
The scarcity has raised concerns among households that depend on cooking gas for their daily meals. Residents fear that a prolonged disruption could force families to turn to alternatives such as kerosene, charcoal and firewood, potentially increasing household expenses and exposing them to health risks associated with smoke.
The shortage has also heightened concerns about the availability of cooking gas in other parts of Borno State, where many households are already facing difficult living conditions.
As of Sunday evening, petroleum marketers and relevant regulatory authorities had yet to issue an official explanation for the disruption or provide a timeline for the restoration of supplies.
Residents are appealing to the authorities and gas distributors to intervene urgently to restore supply and ease the hardship caused by the shortage.
