Police Disperse Rally Against New Regime

Opposition activists demanding an end to military rule took to the streets of Lagos, a commercial hub, in a planned mass protest. But they were quickly confronted by a wall of police and soldiers as new leader Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar moved to clamp down on protesters. Veteran opposition leader Gani Fawehinme collapsed after breathing tear gas fired by authorities and was taken away by police, but there were no reports of deaths or serious injuries. Witnesses said at least five people were arrested. The protest marked the fifth anniversary of 1993 elections annulled by the military. Abubakar succeeded strongman Gen. Sani Abacha, who died Monday.