Teargas fired in Nigerian market

Riot police used whips and guns to quell disquiet on Tuesday

Nigerian police have fired teargas in the main market of the capital, Abuja, as unionists tried to enforce their call for a general strike to continue.

Thousands of people scattered in all directions but market traders say they are not aware of any casualties.

The BBC's Dan Isaacs in Abuja says that support for the strike is weakening on the third day of protests against massive fuel price rises.

Our correspondent says that many shops and offices are open, while many people walked to work in the biggest city, Lagos and airlines are flying regular services both domestic and internationally.

Talks on ending the general strike that has crippled Africa's major oil exporter are due to resume later on Wednesday.

Police were measured in their response to protests

Chris Olakpe, Deputy Police Commissioner

Adams Oshiomhole who is the leader of the umbrella Nigeria Labour Congress said: "The progress so far is sufficient for us to continue with discussions."

Police have fired teargas on every day of the strike so far and Mr Oshiomhole on Tuesday accused the police of brutality.

Union officials say that four people have been killed since the protests began on Monday but the police have not confirmed this.

Self-defence

Protesters were trying to close the sprawling Wuse market in central Abuja, when the police used teargas to stop the scuffles which had broken out.

The French news agency, AFP, also reports that unionists forced commuters out of the few buses which were running in the biggest city, Lagos.

Q&A: Nigeria's fuel strike

Strike in pictures

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner of the Nigerian Police, Chris Olakpe, denied that police had responded to the strike in a heavy-handed manner.

"Police were measured in their response to protests," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.

He denied live bullets were used but said police should use them in further demonstrations for self-defence.

Deyaboro, a demonstrator interviewed in Abuja said people there were still in full support of the strike because of the level of suffering they were enduring.

"The masses voted the president in, but he will not work with us over the price of fuel," he said.

"Strikes will continue and should not be called off. We will continue to work with the Nigeria Labour Congress."

Untenable hike

Nigerian unions launched the strike in protest at a more than 50% government increase in the prices of petrol, kerosene and diesel on 20 June.

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Officials say the hikes are necessary to end shortages and curb smuggling of cheaper Nigerian fuel to neighbouring countries.

With the increase, petrol costs the equivalent of US$1.18 a gallon.

In the northern city of Kaduna, government workers turned up at their offices on Tuesday but refused to work.

The government has warned civil servants who do not show up that they face possible dismissal.