At least 166 people were killed in Ethiopia after a popular singer's death sparked violent protests which resulted in riots in the country's Oromia region and capital Addis Ababa, police sources said on Sunday.

Girma Gelam, Oromia region's police deputy commissioner, told media on Saturday night that 156 people have died in the riots, including 11 members of security forces.

Police in Addis Ababa said on Tuesday that 10 people were killed in the riots, including two police officers.

Hachalu Hundessa, 34-year-old singer, was shot dead in the capital Addis Ababa on Monday night by unidentified gunmen when he was driving.

His music often focused on the rights of the country's Oromo ethnic group and became an extremely popular voice in a wave of protests that led to the downfall of the previous prime minister in 2018.

Following his death, huge protests erupted in Addis Ababa and Oromia region, the homeland of the Oromo people.

According to media reports, the authorities have shut down the internet in parts of country to curb the spread of the protests.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres "calls for calm and for all stakeholders in Ethiopia to refrain from any action likely to fuel tension," his spokesperson said.

About 2,200 people were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the riots, government sources said, adding that the protests and riots had been under control as of Saturday.

(With input from Xinhua and AFP)