Nigerian VP's house burnt, prison raided: residents

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Rioters in the northern Nigerian city of Zaria on Monday burned the house of Vice President Namadi Sambo following elections and raided a prison, freeing a number of inmates, residents said.

A 24-hour curfew has been imposed on the state of Kaduna, where Zaria is located, the state government announced. The palace of the emir of Zaria, one of the most influential traditional rulers in the north, was also said to have been set alight.

"It's been a rampage today here," said resident Mahmud Zaria. "Protesters have burnt down the residence of the vice president and the palace of the emir as well as raided the prison and set many prisoners free."

Other residents and the state news agency also reported that Sambo's house was burnt and the prison was raided.

Riots spread across the north on Monday as election results showed President Goodluck Jonathan set to be declared winner of Saturday's elections.