A woman fainted yesterday when police officers fired teargas at the popular Tejuosho Market shopping complex in Yaba, Lagos, to disperse traders protesting a prolonged power outage at the facility.

She was later revived by passersby and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The traders were protesting against extortion and the negative impact of the blackout on their businesses.

Many people were seen running for safety as police officers mobilized to the area and shot teargas canisters at the protesting traders.

A police officer was also seen firing live bullets as protesters threw objects to resist the security pushback.

Some traders at the shopping complex accused the management of extortion, alleging insensitivity to the impact of the blackout on their businesses.

A trader identified as Grace Udeaku complained that the management had been collecting monthly service charges and electricity bills without providing power to the facility.

The spokesperson for the Lagos Police Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, could not be reached for comments at press time. (The Guardian)