Shots fired during crackdown on ‘hunger’ protesters

Nigerian police fired live ammunition and tear gas in an attempt to disperse thousands of protesters in the northern city of Kano against rising prices.

Many businesses across the country have closed as protesters in major cities chanted slogans such as “We are hungry.”

In Kano state, where the largest number of protesters have so far taken place, protesters set tyres on fire and built a bonfire in front of the governor’s residence before gunfire broke out. Four injured people were taken to hospital.

The protest was organized via social media and was inspired by the recent success of protesters in Kenya who forced the government to abandon plans to increase taxes.

Police also sprayed hot water on the crowd in Kano, but they remained on the streets.

Looters also broke into a warehouse near the governor’s residence, where someone stole cartons containing 25 liters of vegetable cooking oil and mattresses.

On Wednesday night, a court ordered protesters in the capital, Abuja, to remain inside the National Stadium on the outskirts of the city.

But after gathering outside the stadium on Thursday morning, protesters began to march towards the city center, also chanting “end bad governance.”

This prompted police to fire tear gas in an attempt to stop the march as it would affect traffic.

Security forces were deployed at strategic locations in the capital, where even banks were closed, and in surrounding towns.

In Lagos, Nigeria’s economic center, protests are growing.

Demonstrators were heading towards Ojota area, where the government said protesters could gather, chanting “ole,” which means “thief” in Yoruba, referring to President Bola Tinubu and his government.

Many were angry at President Tinubu’s decision to scrap fuel subsidies – a decision he announced in his inaugural speech in May 2023, effective immediately.

The move was intended to cut government spending but instead caused a spike in oil prices and had a knock-on effect on other commodities.

“Our main demand is that the subsidy be removed. The government should reverse this decision,” Abiodun Sanusi, a protester in Abuja, told the BBC.

They also want the government to make broad reforms to the country’s electoral and judicial systems.

Ahead of the so-called “Day of Rage”, the government called on Nigerians to stay off the streets and give the president time to bring policies to fruition.

But Lagos protester Kingsley Udiale dismissed the claim, saying: “Hunger is why we are here. You can’t hit a baby and then ask him not to cry.”

He said if the Tinubu government wanted to be patient then they should lead by example.

“You can’t tell us to be patient while you buy a private jet,” he said, referring to plans to buy new multi-million dollar aircraft for Mr Tinubu and his deputy, Kashim Shettima.

Activist Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka, who was also protesting in Lagos, said the demonstration was aimed at demanding a reversal of the rising prices of essential commodities.

“If they don’t give in, we will continue to protest,” she told the BBC.

Additional reporting by BBC correspondents Zaharadeen Lawal in Kano, Chris Ewokor in Abuja and Simi Jolaoso in Lagos.