Protesters on Monday paralyzed business activities in Nigeria as the indefinite strike called by Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC), and Trade Union Congress and Civil Society groups began.

Banks, shops, offices, hospitals and markets were closed.

In Lagos, Nigeria's commercial hub, major streets were deserted, while law enforcement officers patrolled to monitor events.

Several youths converted some usually busy streets in the area to soccer pitches.

In central north Jos, the Plateau capital, workers began a nationwide strike over the government's removal of fuel subsidy on a calm note.

Aside the closure of government and some private institutions, other basic businesses went on as usual.

Along major highways, vehicular movement was normal, while commercial motorcyclists operated, as usual, on the major highways.

A Xinhua reporter in the restive city said security presence were seen around Churches and Mosques as well as filling stations. In southeast Cross Rivers State, the NLC and TUC threatened to sanction members who failed to join the ongoing strike to protest fuel subsidy removal.

The two unions also commended the police for providing security throughout the peaceful rally. In northeast Borno State, the NLC shelved street protest in the ongoing fuel subsidy strike following appeal by security agencies in the state. Xinhua's reporter in Maiduguri, the state capital, said the gates at the federal government secretariat as well as the state secretariat were under lock and key.

All markets were closed while taxis and commercial buses kept off the roads even as security personnel patrolled the streets, he added. In northern Nasarawa state, youths barricaded the busy Abuja- Makurdi road as workers embarked on a nationwide strike to force the government to revert the price of petrol to 65 naira per liter. The protesters said the fuel subsidy removal had brought untold hardship to the ordinary Nigerians.

In Yenagoa, the Bayelsa Police Command barred members of the civil society organizations and the organized labor from embarking on street protests.

Civil society organizations which came out as early as 7:30 a.m. local time were turned back at their take-off point in the state capital by stern-looking policemen in several patrol vans and an armored personnel carrier.

Similarly, socio-economic activities in northern Gombe State were brought to a halt as workers and entrepreneurs joined the nationwide strike. The workers were joined by commercial motorcyclists, traders, artisans and other organized groups, calling on the government to rescind its decision.

Xinhua reporter in the state said motor parks, filling stations, government offices and other business premises were closed, while leaves could be seen on most of the offices.

In Ilorin, the NLC and civil society organizations staged a peaceful protest through major streets. Police, soldiers and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) officials patrolled the major streets with their trucks to forestall any breakdown of law and order. All major roads and streets were deserted while vehicular movement was light. In oil rich Akwa Ibom state, the state and federal offices as well as banks were shut in compliance with the NLC directive. All the filling stations also locked their gates. Markets in the state capital opened for business while commercial vehicle drivers operated but many of them complained that their vehicles would soon be parked due to non-availability of fuel.

Similarly, workers in northeast Adamawa State complied with the nationwide strike directive, as banks and government offices in Yola and remained closed.

The main market in the town was also shut but corner shop owners and petty traders such as vegetable and fruit sellers could be seen going about their normal businesses.

Security men comprising soldiers, police and civil defense officials could be seen all over the capital on red alert.

Social and economic activities were paralyzed in the Bauchi metropolis, as residents took to the major streets protesting the removal of fuel subsidy.

In Kaduna, business and government activities were paralyzed as government secretariats, banks, markets and auto parks remained shut.

Also, taxis, commercial motorcyclists and buses suspended their services, leaving people who wanted to join the protest to trek to the venue.

In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, major roads were all devoid of traffic while major markets, financial institutions and public buildings were shut.

Commercial drivers and motorcyclists were not left out as the few commuters sighted on the highways were stranded.

In Abeokuta, the Ogun capital, commercial and vehicular activities were grounded.

The state secretariat was also shut while other government agencies and offices were deserted.

Similarly, protesters in Akure, the Ondo State capital, took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration against the removal of fuel subsidy. The protesters, who were accompanied by policemen, carried placards with various inscriptions.

The strike grounded commercial activities, as traders stayed indoors in compliance with the directive given by the NLC and TUC.

Meanwhile, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State assured Nigerians of a possible resolution of the removal of fuel Subsidy face-off between the Federal Government and the organized labor.

Oshiomhole, who commended the labor leadership for the peaceful conduct of the protest, said it was their right to hold peaceful protest.