Subsidy protests Nigeria - More protests were staged today in Kano against the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government with hundreds of youth taking part in marches to denounce the policy. In the early hours of the day some students assembled at the Kofar Naisa field and were trying to mobilize people to protest when the police came and arrested nine of them and took them to the police headquarters in Bompai where they were cautioned on the their actions.

According to one of the students, Audu Bulama Bukarti, they were arrested and asked to take an oath after which they were released but they went ahead with the protest. He said they were there to protest the removal of fuel subsidy and to call for the immediate resignation of Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, her information counterpart, Labaran Maku and the CBN governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

The students move from the Kofar Naisa field along BUK road to the silver jubilee roundabout where they kept chanting anti government slogans and raising placards with inscription denouncing the removal of subsidy on petroleum products.

Another set of protesters were dispersed by the police after they visited the State Assembly and were heading to the government house to voice their concerns over the subsidy removal.

1:50pm

Hundreds of youth protesting the removal of fuel subsidy in Kaduna under the platform "Occupy Nigeria" have refused to leave the Murtala Mohammed square in Kaduna despite the efforts of the Police and soldiers.

The protesters who came to sign a protest register have been pushed out of the square by a police detachment led by SP Wakili Kwali but have remained at the entrance of the square were they have continued with the signing, singing solidarity songs.

Speaking to newsmen, Barrister Tajudeen Oladoja, National president of Muslim Lawyer's of Nigeria (MULAN) who was among the protesters said they converged in order to register their displeasure on the removal of fuel subsidy. He said over 1,000 persons cutting across all divides have registered their names against the subsidy removal.

He said they are organising a rally slated for Friday in which they will march from Murtala Mohammed Square to Government House.

1:20pm

The death of a young man has been confirmed in Ilorin, Kwara state.

He was reportedly killed by a gun shot when police men tried to break up a protest that was getting violent within the town over the removal of the fuel subsidy.

The protesters were said to have assembled early in the morning at Emir's road and started by burning tyres. They then proceeded into other parts of the town and continued at Post office road. They vandalised a petrol station, MRS, damaging cars and other properties belonging to the station.

The protesters also attacked a Sterling Bank branch within the vicinity, burning a Hilux bus belonging to the bank and two cars belonging to staff of the bank.

While the police were trying to control the crowd, a shot was fired which felled the victim.

Presently the police have taken control of the streets and the protesters have dispersed.

The Secretary to the state government, Isiaka Gold told Daily Trust that he is presently at the Government House and that they are on top of the situation.

1:10pm

Protesters are now in Maryland in Lagos where they have courted traders, artisans and civil servants in the struggle to force the ruling government to reverse the new increase in the pump price of fuel.

Chairperson of the Joint Action Front, Dr Dipo Fashina, who led the protest said Nigerians have no business to pay higher price for fuel.

The protest which began in Yaba office of the Nigerian Labour Congress has gathered momentum as traders and unemployed youths are showing solidarity with the protesters with songs.

The use of Late Afro beat maestro, Fela Anikulapo Kuti as back up music drew hundreds of youths, transporters and okada riders to the protest.

The protesters are now on their way to Alausa to register their displeasure to Governor Babatunde Fashola,SAN, on the new pump price of fuel.

Meanwhile, an Islamic group,Muslim Rights Concern has expressed its support for the ongoing protest against the current pump price of fuel in the country.

Ishaq Akintola,the group's Director asserts that the protests against the removal of fuel subsidy are justifiable as long as government has no mandate of the people to do what it has done.

"The debate over the issue has just begun. It is also a betrayal of trust because it was never mentioned during President Jonathan's campaign. To that extent subsidy is a fraud. Nigerians did not vote for fuel subsidy. It is therefore immoral, unjustifiable and provocative. By removing fuel subsidy at a time when government has not implemented minimum wage, Jonathan has stabbed the Nigerian people in the back".

He also charged the government to release those arrested in connection with the last Abuja protest as well as the police to be civil in their handling of the situation.

"The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees freedom of association and freedom of expression. MURIC will work in tandem with the rest of the Nigerian civil society to ensure that exuberant security agents who violate Allah-given and fundamental rights of protesters will be made to account for their actions.

"We warn the Federal Government to take soldiers off the streets during anti-subsidy protests. Democracies must steer off Gestapo-style tactics. Soldiers have no business in non-violent protests.

11:45am

Convener of yesterday's anti-fuel subsidy removal register signing at the Eagles Square Abuja, Hon. Dino Melaye, has been released by the Police.

Dino was arrested alongside some other protesters and journalists yesterday evening. He said they were still working on the release of the remaining four people still in detention and told the media during his address immediately after release that their protests will continue today.

10: 35am

Falana, Aremu others hold up Lagos traffic in subsidy protest

The protesters in Lagos have sat down at Fadeyi along the Ikorodu expressway, chanting solidarity songs and calling for divine punishment for the proponents of the subsidy removal.

The action has caused a traffic snarl on the road which happens to be the busiest in Lagos. Among those sitting on the road presently are former ASUU President, Dipo Fashina; Human rights activist, Femi Falana; NLC vice president, Issa Aremu; wife of late legal luminary Gani Fawehimni, Mrs Ganiyat Fawehini; NCP gubernatorial candidate during the last election, Ayodele Akere, Segun Sango and students.

10:00am

Organised Labour under the Joint Action Front today in Lagos commenced a protest against the removal of the fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.

The protesters booed President Jonathan and Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state over the development. They said the cabinet of President Jonathan, including the minister of Finance and the Petroleum minister are insensitive to the plight of Nigerians. They also berated Oshiomhole for supporting the removal of the subsidy, calling him a traitor to the cause.

The protest has attracted thousands who flocked to the NLC office in Yaba from as early as 7:30am chanting solidarity songs . They also displayed placards which said the administration was 'rudderless'. Some of the inscriptions on some of hte placards read "Jonathan is rogue; Oshiomhole is a traitor; Iweala is an agent; Diezani is a rogue".

Presently, protesters have shut down filling stations around Lawanson in Lagos. Among the stations sealed are Oando, MRS and Total. They accused them of compounding the plight of poor Nigerians by selling at the new pump price. They vowed to vandalise them should they go ahead to continue selling.

The protest is now being joined by students from the Lagos State University (LASU) who were already being weighed down by high school fees.

Mohammed Shosanya, Ronald Mutum, Mustafa Abubakar, Romoke Ahmad; Ismaila Mudashir, Hisham Habib

Daily Trust/04/01/2012