Nigerians on social media are mourning the death of a woman who was allegedly beheaded by a man reported to be her boyfriend in Nasarawa state.

Police arrested Timileyin Ajayi, a gospel singer, on Sunday with the severed head of his victim, 24-year-old Salome Adaidu, near a church.

He is alleged to have been carrying the head in a bag which drew attention from other people who accosted him before police took over and arrested him.

Other dismembered parts of the deceased's body were alleged to be have been recovered later in his home.

Mr Ajayi has not commented on the allegations.

"The suspect was found with a fresh human head, and when we got to the scene, we rescued him from being mobbed," Nasarawa police spokesman Ramhan Nansel was quoted by the Punch news website as saying.

The deceased was identified as a member of the National Youth Service Corps who was serving in the federal capital, Abuja.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing, the police said.

Ms Adaidu's family has urged the Nigerian government to thoroughly investigate and prosecute those responsible for her death.

A friend of the deceased, Abby Simon, told BBC Pidgin that it was a sad experience for Ms Adaidu's mum who lost her husband only seven months ago. She said the mother had fainted from the shock of losing her daughter.

She also said the deceased was not in a relationship with the suspect.

"Nobody deserves to die this way. Even if she was his girlfriend, she didn't deserve to die this way," she said.

The deceased's sister, Patience Adaidu, told local TV outlet News Central that she was disappointed at the way the police were handling the case and called for help from Nigerians.

"Police have not given us any information about my sister... They have not answered our questions... We demand justice, we need help from Nigerians."

Nigerians on social media have been sending messages of support following the incident.

"RIP Salome Adaidu. Your killer will never have rest even after death," Avni James said.

Amara Josephine said on X: "That gruesome image of that young lady saddens my heart. I pray for her family."