/ 10 November 1999

LAGOS TRANSPORT SRIKE CONTINUES

A STRIKE by Lagos commercial transporters continued on Tuesday, crippling economic activities in Nigeria’s commercial city amid reported deaths from clashes unleashed by picketing gangs. Commuters have been at the receiving end of the paralysing strike started Monday by transporters who withdrew their vehicles from the roads over government’s hike in tariffs as well as alleged extortion and harassment by law enforcement agents. In the ensuing clashes, at least eight people were feared dead on Monday, while several others were injured. A peace meeting called late on Monday by the Lagos state governor, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, with leaders of the commercial transporters apparently ended in a stalemate.