In pictures: Nigeria fuel strike

1 of 8 The normally bustling streets of Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos, were empty on Wednesday after unions called a general strike to protest at fuel prices rises.

2 of 8 The government of Africa's major oil exporter has stopped subsidising the price of petrol, leading to huge increases.

3 of 8 Most civil servants stayed away - despite a government order that no show meant no pay. Banks also closed. A few stalls opened in the normally chaotic central market in Lagos.

4 of 8 But some, like Elizabeth, said they can't afford to strike. She says that if she doesn't sell eggs, her children will go hungry.

5 of 8 Some 220,000 police officers were said to have been deployed

6 of 8 Union leader Adams Oshiomhole said the strike would remain until the petrol prices were lowered, as a court has ordered.

7 of 8 Some state-owned petrol stations did open and police monitored the long queues which formed outside.

8 of 8 For those who needed petrol quickly, black market vendors were the only option.