Nigeria: Fuel Subsidy Protests Turn Violent
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Wednesday, 11 January 2012 |
Strike and protest action against the Government’s decision to remove fuel subsidies, which led to a doubling of prices last week, has turned violent with the deaths of 16 people two days of national protests, according to a Red Cross tally. An attack on a mosque in Benin City killed five and led thousands of Nigerians from the north of the country to flee, raising concerns that opposition to the move was stoking religious strife.
Soldiers have been deployed in the central and northeast regions, along with the southern delta, to deal with unrest. Lagos' busy Apapa Port, a key entry point for shipments, has been shut down, and several fuel service stations were disrupted amid the unrest.
President Goodluck Jonathan has shown no sign of backing away from the move despite a second day of street protest and strong opposition within Nigeria’s parliament. Speaking to reporters as thousands took to the streets in cities nationwide, Jonathan insisted that the move was essential to save the country an estimated $8bn a year.
PetrolWorld 11012012
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