Three dead as Nigerians Unite against Corruption on first day of Labour Strike action

Protesters challenging the increase in petrol prices by the executive branch of government converged in metropolis’s all over Nigeria. Lagos witnessed an outpouring of literally tens of thousands of people, who rallied at Gani Park, in Ojota to vent their frustrations on what they term an “insensitive”, “greedy” and “corruption ridden” government.
The crowd of Nigerians was joined by celebrities such as Femi Kuti, Ras Kimono and Ruggedman.

In Falomo, Ikoyi, another suburb of Lagos, remowned economist and former Presidential aspirant, Pat Utomi led protesters to Lagos State government house in Marina.

Balarabe Musa also led protesters in Kaduna and Reverend Father Felix Ajakaye led a crowd reported to be over 5000 in Ekiti.

Some other cities and states involved in the protest across Nigeria today include Ibadan, Minna, Kano, Benin, Akure, Lokoja, Abuja, Sagamu, Warri, Asaba and more.

Whilst there were peaceful demonstrations in most parts, violence rang out as trigger happy police officers killed one in Lagos, and two in Kano. Another four protesters were injured in Lagos after sustaining gunshot wounds from policemen that fired into a crowd of protesters. Also several were injured after a stampede near a government complex caused by police firing to disperse the crowd.

In Edo, a crowd of thugs took advantage of the break down in law and order and looted a neighborhood predominantly occupied by muslims, as a reprisal attack against southerners in the North.

It is uncertain how long the strike will last as Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, the Minister of Finance, today stated that no amount of protests will make the government reverse its decision on fuel subsidy.

Nigerian protesters have all unified under the banner Occupy Nigeria, and beyond a reversal of fuel prices, they have also increased their demands, insisting government compensation must be cut down, and corruption must be prosecuted in order for peace to reign in the country.

2 Comments

1. 

   Nigeria political

   January 10, 2012 at 12:52 am

   where is baba obasanjo
2. 

   Emmagreat

   January 10, 2012 at 7:22 pm

   i say know to fuel hike, let us takel the cruption in the house, all travelling expencies should be cut off all medicall allowance should also be cut down and lost more