Air strikes on a market and residential areas in opposition-held north-western Syria have killed at least 31 civilians.

Fifty other people were injured when warplanes targeted the town of Maarat al-Numan, in southern Idlib province, causing widespread destruction.

Russia has denied reports that its aircraft carried out the strikes.

The Inspector-General of Police, MOHAMMED ADAMU, has briefed President MUHAMMADU BUHARI on the activities of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

ADAMU disclosed this to State House correspondents when he visited the President at the Aso Villa in Abuja.

He said the President directed him to provide security for every Nigerian.

Fifty-four suspects have been arrested in connection to the fracas which broke out yesterday in Abuja between protesting Shiites members and men of the Nigeria Police Force.

This was contained in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, DCP Frank Mba.

According to the statement, over three thousand IMN members took part in the protest, defying all sense of decency violently attacked innocent citizens and Police personnel on duty.

In the process, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, FCT Command, DCP Usman A.K Umar, was shot and later died while receiving treatment at the hospital.