Videos and images of attacks and looting unrelated to the current outburst have been circulating on social media. People have been commenting on them believing them to be contemporary.

The images serve to "incite and instil fear" among residents and "undermines the authority of the state", the police have said in a statement.

They highlight posts "relating to schools that are burning and the kidnapping of schoolchildren".

The police have now arrested 289 people since the recent wave of violence began on Sunday.

There has been a "significant decline in incidents of public violence and looting" since the arrests began, their statement says.