Long queues stretched along the streets of Abuja on Monday as residents scrambled for fuel amid a surge in prices and gas station closures. Frustration and desperation were palpable among the people waiting in line, hoping to secure fuel for their daily needs.

"This morning, I had to abandon everything I needed to do. I had to abandon work to be in the queue," one local resident lamented. "And the queue started about more than three kilometres away from this N.M.P.C. filling station, more than three kilometres away."

Another resident recounted spending almost three hours in line, emphasising that his livelihood depends on driving his car. "If you say the queue is not much, I could have been on the road and be looking for how I'll make my money," he added, urging the Nigerian government to address the fuel crisis "because people are finding it difficult to live."

Job Idi Shaba, another local, shared that he began queuing as early as 06:00, but after hours in line, he expressed uncertainty about whether he would get fuel. "Only God knows if you are going to get the fuel or not," he said.

"Our experience this time, we are not happy at all, as a nation. By the grace of God, he has blessed us with everything for us to enjoy, especially this petrol. Now, look at [us], we don't know," another resident said, highlighting the widespread dissatisfaction and confusion.

The fuel shortage comes as filling stations in Abuja and neighbouring states of Niger, Nasarawa, and Kogi shut down on Friday, with oil marketers expressing concerns over a planned nationwide protest against Nigerian President Bola Tinubu's administration.

In response to the growing unrest, Nigerian government officials held an emergency meeting on Wednesday to prepare for the protests scheduled for next month. First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, along with other local leaders, has appealed to Nigerians to reconsider the planned demonstrations.