By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin

Scores of commercial transporters in Ilorin, Kwara state capital on Thursday afternoon angrily stopped operations to protest the high cost of petrol for their business.

Okada riders, Keke Napep and other intra city commercial transporters, were forced off the road by their aggrieved members who complained bitterly about the high cost of fuel.

The angry protesters occupied major junctions of the state capital such as Maraba, Taiwo Isale, Unity and Offa garage round about to express their grievances over the hardship of the hike in fuel price.

Passengers on Okada and tricycles were forcefully disembarked and made to trek while vehicles owners were asked to put leaves in solidarity with them before they are allowed to go.

Fuel in the state capital, now cost between N1,100 and N1,200 per litre against the official price of N895 as announced by the NNPC.

The action of the aggrieved transporters which started at about 7a.m or 8a.m, forced some filling stations in Ilorin to stop sales due to the fear that their facilities could be attacked and razed down.

As a result of the development, many commuters who were stranded had to trek some kilometers to their destinations but private motorists were allowed free movement.

Vanguard Correspondent reliably gathered that some owners of commercial shops in the state capital, also closed for business to prevent looting if the situation escalates.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Ejire Adeyemi Toun in Ilorin proved abortive at the time of this report.

At press time detachment of armed Police officers in mufti was seen at Unity junction on standby, watching  activities of the protesters unmolested.