Security forces fire tear gas as anti-government protests break out across Nigeria

Thousands of Nigerians are protesting against the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. Security forces fired tear gas to disperse crowds in several places as the protests kicked off on Thursday morning. Roads were blocked in parts of the country while many businesses were also shut amid fears of violence. Many protesters, mostly young people, held banners with the words “This hunger is too much” and called for an end to “bad governance” in Nigeria. Rights groups and activists had raised concerns about a possible clampdown on the demonstrations. Nigeria is one of Africa’s top oil producers but its population of more than 210 million people are among the poorest in the world.