Shia sect protests hit Kaduna and Kano - In pictures

Hundreds of young members of Nigeria's main Shia Muslim sect are protesting on the streets of the major northern cities of Kaduna and Kano, residents have told the BBC Hausa service.

Followers of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) are protesting at what they describe as abuses by the Nigerian army, who they say killed dozens of their members at the weekend.

The clashes followed allegations that IMN members had attempted to assassinate Nigeria's army chief on Saturday in Zaria.

Tension is high in Kaduna state where the sect headquarters is located.

Many businesses are closed and people are mainly staying indoors to avoid trouble, a local journalist told me.

Armed security officers have been stationed in strategic locations in Kaduna city centre, he said.

An unverified picture showing the IMN leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky sitting on the ground with a bloodied face has gone viral on social media.

The Nigerian army said on Monday that the leader was in military custody.