Police fire tear gas to disperse protest in Bauchi

Nigerian police fired tear gas Tuesday and shot in the air to disperse protesters in the northern city of Bauchi, with no casualties reported, residents said on the second day of a nationwide strike.

“Police used tear gas and fired into the air to disperse protesters in Wunti and Railway neighbourhoods,” said Wunti resident Lawanti Maleka.

“Protesters came out this morning in the two areas to continue with protests held in the city yesterday. So far there have been no reports of casualties or arrests.”

Police could not immediately be reached for comment.

Tens of thousands demonstrated across Nigeria on Monday and six people were killed on the first day of a general strike over soaring fuel costs in Africa’s most populous nation and largest oil producer.

Protests broke out in various locations on Tuesday, especially the economic capital Lagos, and businesses remained shut in major cities.