Nigeria's inflation protests claim 14 lives

The ongoing protests against soaring inflation in Nigeria's major cities have taken a tragic turn, with the death toll now reaching 14, according to Report, which cites local media outlets

The Daily Post had earlier reported four casualties, but the situation has escalated since then.

The protests have not only led to loss of lives but have also disrupted daily life in the affected cities. Demonstrators have blocked roads, forcing businesses, including financial institutions, to shut down. The unrest has also been marred by incidents of looting and destruction of public and private property, with damages estimated to run into hundreds of millions of naira, the local currency.

The current wave of protests was triggered by a disagreement between major labor unions and the federal government over the minimum wage. According to the Punch newspaper, the government had proposed setting the minimum monthly wage at 60,000 naira (approximately $37), which the unions deemed inadequate given the rising cost of living.