Police in Nigeria say six people have been killed in clashes linked to local governmental elections in the northern state of Kano.

Kano police commissioner Mohammed Aminu Yesafu said his officers had arrested dozens of people and recovered weapons including guns and machetes.

Violence erupted between government supporters and opposition party members as election results started to come in.

"We have arrested 254 persons across the state for crimes ranging from assault (and) burning of government properties to killing," said Mr. Yesafu, confirming the six deaths.

"Violence erupted spontaneously in all the local government areas following disagreements between political party supporters," Reuters news agency reported him as saying.

In October, the New York-based group Human Rights Watch released a report alleging that violence and electoral fraud had made a mockery of Nigeria's democracy.

International observers criticised Nigeria's national elections in April as "not credible" after evidence of widespread vote-rigging and intimidation.

The country is one of the world's most corrupt countries.

President Umaru Yar'Adua has promised a zero tolerance approach to corruption.

PHOTO CAPTION