The Indonesian government has executed four drug traffickers, giving a reprieve of uncertain duration to 10 others it had said would also be put to death.

One Indonesian and three Nigerians were executed by firing squad not long after midnight local time, deputy attorney-general Noor Rachmad said.

The government has not decided when the other executions will take place, he said.

Earlier this week Indonesia's attorney-general said 14 people, mostly foreigners, would be executed.

Relatives, rights groups and foreign governments had urged Indonesia to spare their lives.

It is the third set of executions under President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who was elected in 2014 and campaigned on promises to improve human rights in Indonesia.