Three die after thousands take to Nigeria’s streets

NIGERIAN police and protesters clashed and three people were shot dead as tens of thousands demonstrated nationwide over fuel price hikes and a general strike shut down the country.

The launch of what unions called an indefinite strike came at a crucial moment for Africa’s most populous nation and largest oil producer, already hit by spiralling violence blamed on Islamist sect Boko Haram.

Tensions ran high in Kano, the largest northern city, when thousands converged on the state governor’s office, prompting police to push them back as they fired tear gas and shot into the air.