Nigerian police have fired live bullets and tear gas to try and disperse thousands of protesters in the northern city of Kano rallying against the rising cost of living.<\/p>\n
Many businesses across the country have closed as demonstrators in major cities chant slogans such as: \u201cWe are hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Kano, which has seen the largest crowds so far, the gunshots were fired after protesters set alight tyres to make a bonfire in front of the state governor\u2019s house. Four wounded people have been taken to hospital.<\/p>\n
The protests have been organised via social media and inspired by the recent success protesters in Kenya who forced the government to scrap plans to increase taxes.<\/p>\n
Officers have also sprayed hot water on the crowds in Kano, but they remain on the streets.<\/p>\n
Looters have also broken into a warehouse near the governor’s house and people have been seen carrying away 25-litre cartons of vegetable cooking oil and mattresses.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday night, a court ordered that protesters in the capital, Abuja, to keep to the National stadium, which is located on the city\u2019s outskirts.<\/p>\n
But after gathering at the stadium\u2019s gate on Thursday morning, the demonstrators – who have also been shouting the refrain \u201cEnd bad governance\u201d – began heading into the city centre.<\/p>\n
This prompted police to fire tear-gas cannisters to try and stop the procession, which is affecting traffic.<\/p>\n
The security forces are deployed at strategic locations within the capital, where even banks are closed, and in surrounding towns.<\/p>\n
In Lagos, Nigeria\u2019s economic hub, the protest is slowly growing in strength.<\/p>\n
Demonstrators are making their way to the area of Ojota, where the government said the protesters could gather, and have been shouting “ole”, meaning “thief” in the Yoruba language – in reference to President Bola Tinubu and his government.<\/p>\n
Many are angered by President Tinubu\u2019s removal of a subsidy on fuel – announced with immediate effect during his inauguration speech in May 2023.<\/p>\n
It was aimed at cutting government expenditure, but sent pump prices soaring with a ripple effect on other goods.<\/p>\n
\u201cTop on our demand is the subsidy removal. The government should reverse that decision,\u201d Abuja protester Abiodun Sanusi told the BBC.<\/p>\n
They also want the government to carry out wide-ranging reforms to the country\u2019s electoral system and the judiciary.<\/p>\n