Credit: BBC's Mark Lobel
A general strike in Nigeria over the elimination of a fuel subsidy has brought the country to a standstill.
Shops, offices, schools and petrol stations around the country closed on the first day of an indefinite strike.
Thousands gathered in Lagos and other cities to protest at the loss of the subsidy which has doubled fuel costs.
A demonstrator has been shot dead in Lagos, while 20 people were injured as police used tear gas and fired in the air in the northern city of Kano.
President Goodluck Jonathan has said the subsidy was economically unsustainable.
In Lagos police clashed with demonstrators, as thousands joined a march against the rising fuel prices.
Some protesters waved placards bearing an effigy of President Jonathan with devil horns and fanged teeth, and showing him pumping fuel at a gas station.
"Our leaders are not concerned about Nigerians. They are concerned about themselves," protester Joseph Adekolu told the Associated Press news agency.
Witnesses and hospital sources said one demonstrator was killed in a clash with police.
In other developments around the country:
- In Kano, 20 people were wounded as police dispersed protesters converging on the governor's office
- In the capital, Abuja, protester closed the airport and youths camping in the city's Eagle Square have been removed by police
- All the shops in the northern city of Kaduna are closed and there is a heavy police presence
- Ilorin, in south-west Nigeria, is also at a standstill, a man who runs market stalls told the BBC
No comments:
Post a Comment