Nigerians protest at removal of fuel subsidy

Hundreds of Nigerians are marching in the commercial capital, Lagos, to protest at the removal of a fuel subsidy which has led petrol prices to double. They left from the headquarters of main trade unions, which are to meet on Wednesday to decide on strike plans. About two dozen people have been arrested in the main northern city of Kano as they gathered to protest. Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil producer, but imports refined petrol. Years of mismanagement and corruption mean it does not have the capacity to refine oil, turning it into petrol and other fuels. Analysts say many Nigerians regard cheap fuel as the only benefit they get from the nation's oil wealth. Several previous governments have tried to remove the subsidy but have backed down in the face of widespread public protests and reduced it instead. The IMF has long urged Nigeria's government to remove the subsidy, which costs a reported $8bn (£5.2bn) a year. 'Remove corruption, not subsidy' Tuesday is the first working day since the measures were announced on 1 January. The BBC's Tomi Oladipo in Lagos says that as the marchers pass petrol stations, they shout insults and try to persuade them to close. He says that it is not yet clear where the marchers are heading. He says the city is not as busy as it normally is, with many people stranded as they cannot afford the new transport fares after going away for the holidays. Police in the capital, Abuja have blockaded Eagle Square, where protesters had planned to gather for a protest. Cannot play media. You do not have the correct version of the flash player. Download the correct version Advertisement Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters in Abuja on Monday On Monday, police fired tear gas to disperse some 200 people who had gathered in the capital, chanting "Remove corruption, not subsidy." Prices have increased from 65 naira ($0.40; £0.26) per litre to at least 140 naira in filling stations and from 100 naira to at least 200 on the black market, where many Nigerians buy their fuel. There are reports that petrol prices have tripled in some remote areas, while commuters have complained that motorcycle and minibus taxi fares have already doubled or tripled.