World Nigeria's Lagos under 24-hour lockdown after protesters fired on

By Angela Ukomadu and Alexis Akwagyiram

© Reuters/SEUN SANNI People walk along a street despite a round-the-clock curfew in Lagos

© Reuters/ADEMOLA OLANIRAN Lagos State Goveror Babajide Sanwo-Olu visits injured people at a hospital in Lagos

LAGOS (Reuters) - Lagos was under lockdown on Wednesday as a heavy police presence enforced a round-the-clock curfew, hours after soldiers opened fire on protesters in Nigeria's biggest city, witnesses said.

© Reuters/ADEMOLA OLANIRAN Lagos State Goveror Babajide Sanwo-Olu visits injured people at a hospital in Lagos

The state governor said 30 people were hurt in the shooting, in the Lekki district of the commercial capital on Tuesday evening.

Joe Biden Urges Nigeria to End Attacks on Protesters Amid Calls for President Buhari to Resign

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is facing widespread calls to resign after several protesters were reportedly shot dead by the Nigerian military in the Lekki district of Lagos.In a statement, the former vice president called for the Nigerian government to "engage in a good-faith dialogue with civil society" and address "longstanding grievances" at the root of the #EndSars protests.

Protesters have come under gunfire in Nigeria ' s biggest city, Lagos , eyewitnesses and local media say, amid continuing anger over police brutality. Who opened fire and the number of casualties is unclear, but Amnesty International said it had credible reports of deaths. An indefinite 24 - hour curfew

People demonstrating against police brutality on the streets of Lagos , Nigeria on Tuesday Amnesty International said there was “credible but disturbing evidence” in the Nigerian city of Lagos that security forces had shot dead over a dozen protesters demonstrating against police brutality.

Four witnesses said soldiers had fired the bullets and at least two people had been shot. In a Twitter post, the Nigerian Army said no soldiers were at the scene.

Thousands of Nigerians have demonstrated nationwide every day for nearly two weeks against a police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), that rights groups had for years accused of extortion, harassment, torture and murders.

Authorities imposed the 24-hour curfew on Lagos on Tuesday after the state governor said the protests had turned violent.

On Wednesday, police had set up roadblocks in the city and were not allowing vehicles to pass, although there were a few cars and people walking, two Reuters witnesses said.

The SARS unit was disbanded on Oct. 11 but the protests have persisted with demonstrators calling for law enforcement reforms.

Nigeria unrest spreads after shooting of protesters

Buildings in Nigeria's main city of Lagos were torched on Wednesday and sporadic clashes erupted after the shooting of peaceful protesters in which Amnesty International said security forces had killed several people. Witnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of over 1,000 people on Tuesday evening to disperse them after a curfew was imposed to end spiralling protests over police brutality and deep-rooted social grievances. "We were allWitnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of over 1,000 people on Tuesday evening to disperse them after a curfew was imposed to end spiralling protests over police brutality and deep-rooted social grievances.

Eyewitnesses say Nigerian forces opened fire on protesters in Lagos . Thursday saw the state governor impose a 24 - hour curfew and deploy anti-riot police to the city. One witness at the protests , Akinbosola Ogunsanya, said the shooting began after the lights were turned off at the Nigerian city' s

The Lagos State Government has made it clear that the 24 - hour curfew imposed from Tuesday is Writing on his Twitter page, Akosile said Lagos will be on lockdown both day and night. This simply means it’ s not a day curfew. It is indefinite! “In other words, a 24 - hour curfew is locked down during

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu tweeted pictures of him visiting people in hospital who were victims of what he referred to as the "unfortunate shooting incident" in Lekki, an upmarket district where the toll gate has been the site of daily protests.

© Reuters/ADEMOLA OLANIRAN Lagos State Goveror Babajide Sanwo-Olu visits injured people at a hospital in Lagos

He said 25 people were being treated for mild to moderate injuries, two were receiving intensive care and three had been discharged.

"I recognise the buck stops at my table and I will work with the FG (federal government) to get to the root of this unfortunate incident and stabilise all security operations to protect the lives of our residents," said Sanwo-Olu, adding that he would give a broadcast on Wednesday morning.

© Reuters/ADEMOLA OLANIRAN Lagos State Goveror Babajide Sanwo-Olu visits injured people at a hospital in Lagos

Nigerian army spokesman did not respond to requests for comment.

(Reporting by Angela Ukomadu and Alexis Akwagyiram in Lagos; editing by John Stonestreet)