Nigerian Man Claims Fuel Station Sold Him Air Worth ₦35,000, Threatens Police Action

A Nigerian man has accused a filling station of selling him air worth ₦35,000 instead of fuel, and has vowed to involve the police after a shocking encounter. The incident, which took place at a filling station, was shared on X (formerly Twitter), where a video showed the man confronting the fuel attendant for allegedly pumping air into his vehicle’s tank.

The man, visibly upset, is heard in the video saying, “You said you sold ₦35,000 worth of fuel to me, but my gauge hasn’t moved. How did you do that? Are you pumping air into my car?” He demanded that the station manager be called, adding, “We’re going to the police station today. You must explain this racket you’re running here. If I didn’t know better, would you have tried to deceive me this morning?”

The post quickly went viral, with many Twitter users sharing their experiences and thoughts in the comment section. Some users, like Omo Ogedengbe, suggested that the issue may stem from a malfunctioning fuel gauge or possibly tampered fuel dispensers, noting that a nozzle cannot dispense air unless the station has run out of fuel.

Others, like Ustin, shared their own harrowing experiences with similar incidents. One user, Young Pac, warned people to be extra cautious when buying fuel, advising them to use gallon containers or follow the lead of mini bus drivers who sometimes avoid filling up directly from the pump.

A Deeper Look into Fuel Pumping Malpractices

Further commentary came from Freeman, who claimed to have worked as a fuel attendant. Freeman explained that in some cases, when the underground storage tank is low on fuel, the pump may dispense air or a minimal amount of fuel. He noted that the pressure from the tank could be too weak to push the fuel properly, causing the nozzle to seize up intermittently.

Freeman also revealed that some attendants, aware of this issue, may continue dispensing air to customers under pressure from superiors, who might push them to sell fuel even when there’s little left. He added that, at times, attendants may fail to wipe the nozzle properly or may unknowingly continue dispensing fuel from the previous customer’s transaction.

The Growing Concerns Over Fuel Pumping Integrity

The incident has reignited concerns over the integrity of fueling stations in Nigeria, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability in the sector. Users have urged motorists to remain vigilant when filling up, especially at stations where there are long lines or irregularities in the dispensing process.

As the story continues to gain traction on social media, it remains to be seen whether the accused filling station will respond or if authorities will take action in response to the allegations.