Lagos , Nigeria ( CNN ) -- Two Nigerian trade unions accused the country 's president of using `` armed thugs '' to attack protesters , and urged demonstrators to continue their nationwide strike against high fuel prices on Wednesday and beyond . `` In a Mubarak-style response to the peoples ' protests , the Jonathan administration brought into Abuja , thugs armed with various weapons including guns , '' the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria said in a joint statement late Tuesday night . The unions were comparing President Goodluck Jonathan to former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak , who is accused of ordering security forces to fire on protesters in Egypt last year . `` Labour warns the Presidency that it will be held responsible for whatever atrocities these thugs commit , '' the statement said . `` We call on Nigerians to continue the strikes , rallies and protests ... Wednesday ... and subsequent days until the Jonathan government listens to the voice of the Nigerian People . '' Government spokesman Reuben Abati denied the accusations and said negotiations between the labor unions and the government are under way . `` If these claims are properly investigated , you will find out that failed and bitter politicians have not only hijacked this protest , but have diverted it from a protest against deregulation policy , '' he said Reuben Abati . Wednesday will mark day three of the strike , which was spurred by a government decision to remove fuel subsidies -- a move that resulted in more than doubled fuel prices in the largely impoverished country . So far , clashes have left at least 16 people dead and 205 injured , according to a tally collected by the Nigerian Red Cross Tuesday . The strike , continued religious violence in the north and a long-simmering separatist movement are all issues that have created growing problems for Jonathan and fueled tensions on the street . The southern state of Edo was a focus for much of the violence , according to the Red Cross , with five people killed and 83 injured . `` Revolution has come to Nigeria and the youth will spearhead it . Until our demands are met , we are ready to protest every day and make sacrifice , '' said Eromo Egbejule , a Nigerian freelance journalist . Other violence erupted in northern Nigeria Tuesday and Wednesday , although it was unclear whether the incidents were related to the strike . In Yobe state , four people died Wednesday after two gunmen on a motorcycle stopped next to a car filling up at a gas station and opened fire on the occupants in the town of Potiskum , about 600 kilometers northeast of Abuja , said Lawan Tanko , Yobe state police commissioner . `` We do n't know if it 's Boko Haram or other criminal elements , '' he said . `` We are still investigating . '' The victims ' ethnic groups had not been confirmed , he said . Boko Haram , a shadowy militant Islamic group that is said to favor strict Sharia law , is frequently blamed for sectarian violence . Also in Yobe state , eight people drinking in an open-area bar , including a police officer , were shot to death Tuesday by several unidentified gunmen in Potiskum , Tanko said . The gunmen opened fire without announcing their presence , he said . No one has claimed responsibility , and police are not sure who was behind the attack , he said . In a recent address , Jonathan tried to explain the need for ending the subsidies , telling Nigerians that the government would invest the money in the country 's crumbling infrastructure . `` My fellow Nigerians , the truth is that we 're faced with two basic choices with regards to the management of the petroleum sector , '' Jonathan said . `` Survive economically or continue with a subsidy regime that will continue to undermine our economy . '' Some analysts say the changes could help Nigeria in the future . `` If they 're prepared to try this petroleum subsidy removal then perhaps they can push through electricity reform too . If they do that , Nigeria 's growth can be instead of 7 % -8 % a year , 10 % or 11 % , '' said Charlie Robertson , a chief economist at the global investment firm Renaissance Capital . But assurances from the president did not allay fears from many Nigerians who do not trust the government to use the money to improve the country 's infrastructure . Many Nigerians view the subsidy as the only benefit of living in an oil-producing country that has little infrastructure , poor roads , high unemployment and intermittent electric power . `` Though we know that in the long run , removal of ( the ) subsidy will help the economy , for now it is a high-profile lifestyle that is unbearable for most Nigerians , and soon the poorer ones will die out , '' said protester Diane Awunah . CNN 's John Defterios , Jack Maddox and Michael Saba , and journalist Vladimir Duthiers contributed to this report .
Unions : ` ` We call on Nigerians to continue the strikes '' So far , strike - related clashes have left at least 16 dead . ` ` revolution has come to Nigeria and the youth will spearhead it , '' a local newspaper says . The government 's decision to call a strike has more than doubled fuel prices .