Nigerian 'House of Horror' riot in Ibadan Published duration 24 March 2014

image copyright AFP/Getty image caption Anger in the crowd outside the property has risen since the grim discovery on Saturday

Rioting has erupted outside a building in Nigeria where human remains were found at the weekend.

At least 20 people are reported to have been injured when dozens were prevented from entering the property - dubbed the "House of Horror".

Police have cordoned off the abandoned house in the south-western city of Ibadan since Saturday.

Locals suspect black magic rituals were behind the scores of skeletons and rotting corpses found there.

Reports say several severely malnourished people were also found wandering in the bush near the building, and that at least 15 others were found shackled inside.

"We want to rescue our people who are still underground and crying for help. But the police are saying no and we are angry," one rioter said.

image copyright AFP/Getty image caption Locals believed the run-down building was being used by a construction company

image copyright AFP/Getty image caption The rioters also attacked vehicles

image copyright AFP/Getty image caption Crowds outside the building have been praying for the alleged victims

image copyright AFP/Getty image caption "Those behind this dastardly act will be punished by God," said State Governor Abiola Ajimobi

image copyright AFP/Getty image caption Body parts have also been discovered in the grounds of the building

Some rioters were reported to have been carrying sticks and machetes.

The find came after a group of motorcycle taxi riders reported that some of their members had gone missing and were believed to have been abducted.

Kidnapping victims in Nigeria are sometimes tortured or sacrificed in black magic rituals, and local media have reported the sale of human body parts across the country.

Witnesses reported swarms of flies and an overpowering stench. Clothes and personal belongings were also seen at the property.

Local media say human body parts were being sold to customers who came to the premises at night-time.

Oyo state governor Abiola Ajumobi visited the scene on Monday and assured residents that those responsible would be punished.

"Those behind this dastardly act will be punished by God. We too will punish them when we get them," he said.

Police said on Sunday that six people, including five security guards allegedly armed with guns, bows and arrows, were arrested at the scene.