Nigerian police have arrested 165 people near the central city of Jos over a number of offences, including murder.

Local authorities, after conducting investigations into mass killings arrested the suspects, with the intention of charging some of them with terrorism and culpable homicide over the killings of hundreds of people, mainly women and children from predominantly Christian communities.

The possession of firearms, rioting, arson and causing grievous hurt are also listed in the charges.

Police have revealed over 100 people were killed with machetes near the city of Jos.

Some surviving residents have said the killings were part of a feud between two tribes over the theft of cattle rather than for religious motives.

Others have said it was reprisal for the killings of more than 300 mainly Muslims in January.