The continuous rise in the price of cooking gas has forced many residents and business owners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to abandon Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and embrace traditional cooking fuels such as charcoal and firewood.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the price of cooking gas in Abuja has climbed sharply in recent months, rising from about N1,200 per kilogram to as much as N2,000 per kilogram.

Industry operators have blamed the increase on product scarcity, higher depot costs, foreign exchange pressures and rising transportation expenses.

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Consumers and vendors who spoke with NAN on Sunday said the sharp increase in the cost of cooking gas has made it increasingly difficult for households and small businesses to rely on LPG, forcing many to seek cheaper alternatives.

A food vendor in Gwarimpa, Abuja, Mrs. Mayo Akinpelu, said she stopped using cooking gas after repeated price increases made it too expensive for her business.

According to her, she switched to firewood and charcoal because they are cheaper and can be purchased in smaller quantities.

“Refilling my gas cylinder became difficult because the price kept rising. I could no longer afford it and still make reasonable profit. Right now, 12.5kg of LPG goes for N25,000.

“Firewood and charcoal are not as convenient as gas, but they help me reduce costs and keep my business running,” she said.

Akinpelu added that although some customers complain about delays in food preparation, the alternative fuels have become her only practical option amid the persistent rise in gas prices.

Another food vendor in Dutse, Bwari Area Council, Ms. Victory Samson, said the increase in cooking gas prices had significantly reduced her profit margin and negatively affected her operations.

“It has affected a lot; my profit margin has reduced. The government should help and bring the price back to normal,” she said.

In Kubwa, a business owner, Mrs. Grace Oluwatimilehin, expressed shock over the latest increase, saying she had recently purchased gas at a much lower rate.

“I filled my cylinder at N1,600 per kg the last time, but when I went back yesterday, the price had risen to N2,000 per kg.

“I now use electric hot plates for cooking and sometimes rely on charcoal and firewood instead of gas,” she said.

For many households, the rising cost of LPG has further increased financial pressure amid the country’s economic challenges.

A resident, Mrs. Abike Ojo, said the continuous rise in gas prices was placing severe strain on her family’s budget.

“The last time I bought gas, it was N1,500 per kg, but my most recent purchase cost N2,000.

“If prices keep rising, I may stop using gas entirely because it has become too expensive,” she said.

She appealed to the government to intervene, warning that the increasing cost of cooking gas could further worsen household expenses.

Reacting to the development, a gas vendor in Kubwa, Mr. Bamishile Bolanle, confirmed that cooking gas currently sells for N2,000 per kilogram.

“The increase has affected business because people’s purchasing power has dropped significantly.

“From what we observe, the major issue is product scarcity, although we do not know the exact cause,” Bolanle said.

Another gas vendor in Dei-Dei, Mr. Alfred Orshio, said the steady rise in gas prices had led to a noticeable decline in customer patronage.

“Earlier this year, we sold gas for N1,200 per kg. It later rose to N1,400, then N1,800, and now N2,000.

“I cannot blame customers for buying less. Filling a 12kg cylinder now costs about N25,000,” Orshio said.

Meanwhile, sellers of charcoal and firewood say they are benefiting from the shift away from cooking gas.

A charcoal distributor in Kubwa, Mrs. Amina Yakubu, said demand for charcoal has increased significantly as more residents look for cheaper cooking options.

“Patronage has increased recently, and I believe it is because of the rising cost of cooking gas.

“I buy a bag of charcoal for N6,500 and sell it to my customers for N8,000,” she said.
Another charcoal vendor, Mrs. Saratu Ibrahim, also confirmed growing demand, saying her stock now sells much faster than before.

“Business is moving very fast. What used to take more than a week to sell now takes just two days. However, many people have joined the charcoal business.

“I was the first seller on this street, but there are now more than five charcoal vendors here,” she said.

A firewood seller, Mr. Taninu Ibrahim, also reported a significant increase in demand, noting that more households and food vendors were abandoning cooking gas due to rising costs.

According to him, the growing demand has also pushed up the price of firewood.

“More people now buy firewood because cooking gas has become too expensive for many families and small businesses.

“Before now, customers got six pieces of firewood for N1,000. Today, the same amount buys only four pieces,” he said.

Ibrahim attributed the increase in firewood prices to rising demand and transportation costs, adding that patronage remains strong despite the higher prices.

As cooking gas prices continue to rise, residents and business owners are increasingly adopting alternative cooking methods, raising concerns over affordability and the growing cost of living in the Federal Capital Territory.

Stakeholders have called on the government to intervene and stabilise prices, while vendors warned that persistent scarcity and weak consumer purchasing power could further reduce gas consumption and negatively impact business activities across the territory.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on Nigerians to remain united and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and security agencies in the fight against terrorism and other security challenges facing the country.

Sanwo-Olu made the appeal in a statement on Sunday while reacting to recent attacks in parts of the country, describing the incidents as unfortunate but not insurmountable.

According to the governor, Nigerians must not allow the actions of criminal elements to weaken their resolve or diminish their confidence in the nation’s future.

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“We are Nigerians. Our will is strong, and our spirit is unbreakable. This is the time we must stand united as one people behind our nation’s leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and all of our armed forces,” he said.

The governor stressed that terrorists and other criminal elements do not discriminate based on political affiliation, ethnicity or religion when carrying out attacks, urging citizens to rise above political and sectional interests in supporting efforts to tackle insecurity.

“The forces of evil confronting our nation do not ask for our political affiliation before they kill, maim and destroy. So must our resolve and support for our nation be devoid of political leanings and divisive rhetoric,” he added.

Sanwo-Olu expressed sympathy for victims of recent attacks and urged Nigerians to keep affected communities in their prayers.

“Every life lost is a tragedy. Every community threatened by violence deserves our solidarity, support and protection. We must continue to keep the victims of these unfortunate incidents in our thoughts and prayers,” he said.

The governor also called for prayers and support for teachers and students abducted in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, expressing hope for their safe return.

He noted that Nigeria had overcome numerous economic, political and social challenges in the past and would emerge stronger from the current security situation through resilience, courage and unity.

Sanwo-Olu further urged citizens to remain vigilant and assist security agencies through intelligence sharing and cooperation with lawful authorities.

“As citizens, we all have a stake in the security and stability of our country. Government alone cannot win this battle without the support, cooperation, vigilance and active intelligence sharing by local communities,” he said.

Reaffirming his confidence in President Tinubu and the nation’s security institutions, the governor said ongoing efforts to strengthen intelligence gathering and dismantle criminal networks across the country would yield positive results.

He also commended members of the armed forces and other security personnel for their sacrifices in defence of the nation, urging Nigerians to continue supporting them through prayers and encouragement.

“The challenges before us today must not define us. What should define us is how we respond with courage instead of fear, with unity instead of division and with hope instead of despair,” Sanwo-Olu stated.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria would overcome its security challenges, urging young people to remain hopeful, communities to stay resilient and security personnel to remain steadfast in the discharge of their duties.

A fresh attack by suspected gunmen in Plateau State has claimed the life of a 15-year-old herder, Sadi Aliyu, while leaving 13 cattle dead and 11 others missing.

The incident occurred in Sabon Gidan Kanar community, Jos South Local Government Area, where the teenager and other herders were reportedly grazing livestock when armed attackers stormed the area and opened fire.

Confirming the attack on Saturday, the Plateau State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, said the assailants attacked the herders without provocation.

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According to him, the teenage herder was killed on the spot, while several cattle were also shot dead during the assault.

“The victim, alongside his colleagues, was rearing cattle when the gunmen attacked them. They killed one herder and 13 cattle, while about 11 cattle are still missing,” Babayo said.

He condemned the incident, describing it as a threat to peace and security in the state.

“The continuous targeting of innocent herders and their livestock is unacceptable and poses a serious threat to peaceful coexistence and security in Plateau State,” he added.

Babayo disclosed that the matter had been reported to the Bukuru B Division of the Nigeria Police Force and Sector 6 of Operation Enduring Peace for investigation and necessary action.

He called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the attack, apprehend those responsible, and ensure justice is served.

The MACBAN chairman also urged governments at all levels to strengthen measures aimed at protecting lives and property, irrespective of ethnic background or occupation.

While appealing for calm, he advised members of the herding community and affected residents not to resort to self-help or retaliation.

“The association remains committed to peace, dialogue and lawful means of addressing grievances,” he stated.

The latest attack comes amid ongoing efforts by the Plateau State Government to address insecurity.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang recently announced a ban on night mining activities and prohibited night grazing and grazing by underage herders as part of measures to improve security across the state.

Efforts to obtain official confirmation from Operation Enduring Peace were unsuccessful, as its spokesman, Captain Polycarp Oteh, had yet to respond to inquiries as of the time of filing this report.