Nigerian police have used live ammunition and tear gas in an attempt to disperse thousands of demonstrators in the northern city of Kano, protesting against rising living costs.
Demonstrations are taking place in major cities across the country, with some protesters chanting, “We are hungry.”
In Kano, which has seen the largest crowds so far, shots were fired after protesters set fire to tyres to light a bonfire outside the state governor’s house. Four injured people were taken to hospital.
The protests have been organised through social media and inspired by the recent successes of protesters in Kenya, which forced the government to scrap its plans for tax increases.
Officers also sprayed hot water on crowds in Kano, but people remained on the streets.
On Wednesday evening, a court ordered protesters in the capital Abuja to remain in the national stadium, which is on the outskirts of the city.
But after gathering at the stadium gates on Thursday morning, the protesters – who also chanted “Stop bad governance” – began moving towards the city centre.
The police therefore fired tear gas grenades to stop the procession, causing traffic problems.
Many businesses in Abuja, including banks, have closed.
The security forces are stationed in strategic locations in the capital and surrounding towns.
In Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub, shops are closed as elsewhere in the country and protests are slowly gaining momentum.
They are heading to the Ojota area, where the government said protesters could gather, and have been shouting “ole,” which means “thief” in Yoruba — a reference to President Ball Tinubu and his government.
Many are angry over President Tinubu’s immediate removal of fuel subsidy, which he announced during his inauguration speech in May 2023.
The aim was to cut government spending, but it caused prices at the pump to soar, which had a knock-on effect on other goods.
“Our biggest demand is to stop the subsidy. The government should reverse that decision,” Abuja protester Abiodun Sanusi told the BBC.
They also want the government to implement far-reaching reforms to the country’s electoral system and judiciary.
Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka, an activist protesting in Lagos, said the aim of the demonstration was to reverse the price hikes on essential commodities.
“If they don’t give in, we will continue to protest,” she told the BBC
Additional reporting from BBC reporters Zaharadeen Lawal in Kano, Chris Ewokor in Abuja and Simi Jolaoso in Lagos.
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