Following an alleged blasphemy killing, the Nigerian government has eased the curfew.

Following violent protests on Saturday, authorities in the Nigerian state of Sokoto have lifted the 24-hour curfew placed on the state capital. However, a nighttime shutdown remains in effect.

Hundreds of Muslim protesters took to the streets, demanding the release of suspects detained in the murder of a Christian teenager convicted of blasphemy against Islam.

However, the protests became violent, with tires being burned in the streets, stores being looted, and main roads being blocked before police used tear gas to disperse the protesters.

The state governor, Aminu Tambuwal, subsequently announced a 24-hour curfew in Sokoto, the scene of the protests.

However, Sokoto state official Isah Bajini Galadanci said in a statement that the 24-hour curfew had been reduced after a review of the security situation.

The curfew will now run from dark to dawn to allow individuals to "pursue their legal businesses and other means of livelihood."

The state government, on the other hand, has urged residents to remain calm, saying that "any break of law and order will not be tolerated."