Lagos, Nigeria (NewsBahn) – Officials of CNN and the BBC called on the Nigerian government Monday afternoon to explain why security forces entered its offices unannounced earlier in the day.
The police action came as the governor of Lagos state protested soldiers entering Lagos amid nationwide protests of the removal of fuel subsidies by President Goodluck Jonathan.
BBC Newshour reported on Twitter about 8 a.m. Eastern time that “We’re investigating reports that secret service have forced their way into CNN, BBC building in Lagos, Nigeria.”
About an hour later, the BBC tweeted “Security services leave BBC, CNN building in #Lagos. Correspondent tells us #Nigeria wants to keep media on a ‘short finger’.”
Via Twitter, CNN said, “Nigerian authorities enter CNN Lagos bureau unannounced today. No raids occur. CNN requests explanation and continues to report as usual.”
Troops entered Lagos Monday morning to quell protests by trade unions and Occupy Nigeria over hikes in the price of gasoline. The Vanguard news site reported that soldiers had taken over a park in the city that had been the site for rallies by Occupy protestors.
Vanguard said there reports that solders had been deployed on major roads in the city.
CNN said they had received reports the army was barring protestors from demonstration sites, but no violence had been reported.
Lagos State governor Babatunde Fashola, speaking on Lagos State television, protested the soldiers’ presence, saying that citizens had a right to protest as long as they did it peacefully. He called on Jonathan to reconsider his action against protestors.
As soldiers moved into Lagos, two large trade unions said they were suspending a strike that had begun eight days before after the president said he was reinstating the fuel subsidy.
Jonathan had suspended the subsidy on Jan. 1, saying the money saved would be used on infrastructure projects. The suspension caused gasoline prices to soar from 65 naira per liter (40 cents) to 141 naira (86 cents).
In reinstating the subsidy on Monday, the president said fuel prices would be set at 97 naira (60 cents).