Labor unions in Nigeria began a general strike today to protest higher fuel prices. Rioters burned tires and blocked streets. The President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, declared the strike illegal and warned the Government would use force. Nigeria has some of the lowest gas and fuel prices in the world, but most of its population is desperately poor. The Government contends the increase is necessary to stabilize prices, but the Unions claim that the low prices are the only Government benefit that most of the population enjoys from Nigeria’s oil production.
See "Nigerian Unions Strike, and Riots Erupt, Over Rising Fuel Prices", ASSOCIATED Press, The New York Times, January 16, 2002