The Jigawa State Taskforce on Petroleum Monitoring, Sale, and Distribution has issued a strong warning to fuel station operators across the state, cautioning them against manipulating fuel dispensers to cheat customers.
The warning came from the Chairman of the Taskforce, Retired Colonel Muhammad Alhassan, on Tuesday during an inspection tour of filling stations in several parts of the state. According to the chairman, the Taskforce is on a mission to enforce transparency and protect the rights of fuel consumers in Jigawa’s 27 local government areas.
“Any station found engaging in such malpractice will be publicly named and shamed. They will also face immediate sanctions, including possible closure,” Col. Alhassan said firmly.
Strict Monitoring to Enforce Transparency
Alhassan condemned the illegal practice by some station operators who are reportedly adjusting their fuel pumps to under-dispense petrol, thereby cheating customers.
“Such practices are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. This is a direct message to all fuel stations in Jigawa: integrity must come first,” he declared.
He explained that the inspection tour is part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with fuel dispensing standards and protect the interests of motorists and fuel buyers.
Commendation for Compliant Stations
Despite the challenges, the chairman praised some filling stations in Ringim, Hadejia, and Dutse for adhering to the rules and accurately dispensing petrol.
“We appreciate the honest stations that are committed to giving value for money. These are the kinds of operators we want to see more of in Jigawa,” he said.
No Room for Hoarding or Fraud
The Taskforce also warned against fuel hoarding, noting that any station found stockpiling petrol or creating artificial scarcity will be dealt with according to the law.
“We will not allow any station to hoard products or create unnecessary hardship for citizens. The law will take its full course on such cases,” Alhassan added.
He reassured residents that the taskforce is committed to inspecting all fuel stations across the state regularly, to sustain transparency and fair practices in the sector.
Fuel Buyers React to Taskforce Inspections
While most fuel station managers declined to comment on the ongoing inspections — with some saying they were not authorised to speak with the media — motorists and fuel buyers expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the Jigawa Taskforce.
Sule Mahmud, a motorist in Dutse, welcomed the move, saying it was long overdue.
“This is a good development. We’ve been complaining for a long time about being short-changed. I’m happy the government is doing something,” he said.
Another motorist, Aminu Baura, echoed his view.
“I’m glad to see the taskforce in action. For too long, fuel stations have been cheating us by adjusting their meters. I hope this continues until everyone falls in line,” he added.
A female fuel buyer, Sadiq Umar, also spoke with our correspondent.
“I support what the taskforce is doing. I just hope they visit more stations and ensure everyone is compliant. We deserve fair treatment,” she said.
Protecting Consumers, Building Trust
Retired Colonel Alhassan explained that the purpose of the inspections is not to witch-hunt fuel stations, but to protect the interests of consumers and promote confidence in the fuel distribution system.
“We want to create an environment where people can trust that they are getting what they pay for. That’s our duty and we will not relent,” he assured.
The ongoing inspection tour by the Jigawa Taskforce signals a renewed commitment by the state government to sanitize the fuel sector and ensure equitable distribution of petroleum products across the state.
As fuel prices remain a sensitive issue across Nigeria, especially following the removal of subsidy, watchdog efforts like this are expected to play a key role in protecting consumers from exploitation
