Nigeria army moves to halt fuel protests

Soldiers barricaded key roads in Lagos today as Nigeria's president said he would cut fuel prices after days of violent protests over the removal of government subsidies.

Troops were also deployed in the second-largest city of Kano. In his televised speech today President Goodluck Jonathan said that the government would subsidise fuel prices to reduce them to about $2.27 a gallon. However, that price is still more than 50 cents higher than it was before subsidies were removed on January 1.

Tens of thousands have marched in cities across Nigeria and anger is also aimed at government corruption and inefficiency.

Mr Jonathan said the protests had been "hijacked" by other interests that "seek to promote discord, anarchy and insecurity".