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NEWS
TRANSCRIPT
Nigerian police opened fire on an anti-government rally on may day
in Nigeria's second largest city. They killed at least seven people
and wounded several more. Political opposition groups had organized
the demonstrations to protest the rule of general sunny. V.O.a.'s
Pernell Murdock reports from our west Africa bureau. Witness say police
opened fire on hundreds of protesters as they tried to set fire to
buildings and cars believed to belong to supporter of the military
ruler soni abachi. The headquarters of the newspaper, "the monitor,
" was among the buildings attacked. Witnesses say the publisher of
the newspaper, considered an abac nch hi was wounded during the violence.
Also attacked was the home of a man who organized a pro-abachi rally
several weeks ago. Opposition leaders accused the police of attacking
the demonstrators. They also accused radical youths of committing
any acts of violence. Earlier large groups of opposition supporters
held anti-government rallies in various parts of the city. Witnesses
say the crowds denounced the general and called for the release of
popular opposition leader moshud Abiola. The south western Nigerian
millionaire who appeared to have won the country's anulled 1993 presidential
election. The opposition united action for democracy called for massive
demonstrations to protest military rule. Civil rights lawyer and political
activist ghani vohenly told V.O.a. Nigeria's opposition is planning
more demonstrations. We need to mobilize all the Nigh gearians all
over the country. That is the one that going to be of major effect
and impact. Mr. vohenl said the Joint action committee was formed
to help Nigerian opposition groups and civil rights organizations
coor nature their attack against military rule in Nigeria. Leaders
of the united action for democracy say they are sadened by the deaths
and injuries suffered during Friday's violence. But they say that
is the price Nigh gearians must pay in their struggle for democracy.
Pernell Murdock, V.O.a. news.