VOA News
02 Jul 2003, 16:36 UTC
Police in Nigeria triggered a mass stampede in the capital, Abuja, Wednesday after firing tear gas and live bullets in an attempt to break up protests against fuel prices.
More than 1,000 people fled the chaos in Abuja's main market on the third day of a general strike. Reports say a number of people were injured.
Also Wednesday, police fired bullets in several parts of the commercial city of Lagos to disperse demonstrators who were trying to prevent access to markets.
The Nigerian Labor Congress has accused the police of using brutal tactics against protesters who started striking on Monday after the government raised the cost of fuel by more than 50 percent.
Police have used tear gas to break up demonstrations taking place mainly in Abuja and Lagos every day since the strike began. Protests Wednesday also spread to parts of Nigeria's oil-producing southeastern regions, where demonstrators lit bonfires on major streets.
Union officials also accuse police of shooting and killing four protesters during a demonstration on Monday. A police spokesman first confirmed the deaths, but later denied there were any fatalities in connection with the strike.
Meanwhile, labor leaders and government officials continue negotiations Wednesday to try to reach a compromise over the price hike. President Olusegun Obasanjo cut fuel subsidies last week, sending the price of fuel soaring by more than 50 percent.
The president says the money saved will be used for such crucial government services as health care and education. On Monday, he agreed to set up a committee to review the decision.
A Nigerian court has ruled the work stoppage illegal.
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