Police fired warning shots into the air at the popular Top Medical Junction in the Tunga area of Minna, the Niger State capital, to prevent protesters from blocking a major road.
Earlier, the police had used tear gas to disperse the protesters, who later regrouped and attempted to mount a roadblock on the busy thoroughfare. In response, officers on the scene fired gunshots into the air to disperse the crowd.
When our correspondent arrived at the scene, police and local vigilantes were observed clearing the stones the protesters had used to barricade a section of the road.
Security forces, including the police, military, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, have taken control of key locations around the city. This includes the popular Kpakungu Roundabout on the Minna-Bida road, where protests were held earlier this year.
Our correspondent also reports that markets and shops have closed due to fears of potential looting.
