Man Accuses Filling Station of Selling ₦35,000 Worth of Air Instead of Fuel

A Nigerian man has alleged that a filling station dispensed air worth ₦35,000 into his vehicle instead of fuel, prompting him to threaten legal action.

A video of the incident, which surfaced on X (formerly Twitter), shows the man confronting the fuel attendant and demanding an explanation. The video was shared by X user Somto Okonkwo (@General_Somto), who captioned it: “Imagine going to buy fuel and the attendant is pumping air inside your car tank.”

Watch the video below:

In the footage, the frustrated customer is heard questioning the attendant, saying, “You claim to have sold ₦35,000 worth of fuel to me, yet my gauge hasn’t moved. How is that possible? Are you pumping air into my car?” He further insisted on seeing the station manager, adding, “We are going to the police station today. You must explain what’s going on here. If I hadn’t noticed, would you have gotten away with this?”

The video quickly gained attention, sparking widespread debate online. Some users speculated on possible explanations, while others shared similar experiences.

User Reactions and Expert Opinions

A user identified as @leumas_mahni_og explained that fuel nozzles cannot dispense air unless the underground storage tank is nearly empty. He suggested that the issue might be due to tampered litre measurements or a faulty fuel gauge in the man’s vehicle.

Another user, @ust900, recounted a similar experience in 2003, when his vehicle stalled in a remote area after unknowingly purchasing fuel mixed with air.

A commenter known as @richieedet warned that some stations engage in deceptive practices, prompting him to buy fuel in gallons for accuracy. Others, like @piper_piper122, advised customers to be extra cautious, especially when purchasing fuel behind motorcycles or tricycles, as attendants may continue sales from a previous transaction.

Adding a professional perspective, @EGideoon stated, “Either the fuel gauge malfunctioned, or the attendant sold very little fuel. Pump nozzles don’t dispense air, but sometimes you need to drive a bit before the gauge updates.”

A former fuel station attendant, @freemanniceguy, shared insights into how some stations operate. He explained that when underground tanks run low, the pump pressure drops, leading to inconsistent fuel flow. Some attendants, knowingly or unknowingly, continue selling under these conditions. He also revealed that some stations deliberately manipulate meters, allowing previous sales to reflect on new transactions.

To prevent falling victim to such practices, he advised customers to always ask attendants to reset the meter before purchasing fuel.

The video continues to generate discussions, with many calling for stricter monitoring of fuel stations to prevent fraudulent practices.