Radical Muslim Preacher Claimed the Officer Had Trampled a Quran by Obed Minchakpu Compass Direct

KATSINA, Nigeria (Compass) -- A Christian policeman was killed on June

6 by Muslim extremists in Katsina state in northern Nigeria after he warned an Islamic preacher to stop inciting Muslims against Christians.

While preaching to a crowd at the Batsari market, the Muslim leader accused the Christian officer of trampling a Quran, the Muslims' holy book. The accusations attracted other Muslims who reacted by clubbing the Christian to death.

"The killing of the policeman led to pandemonium, and quite a number of people sustained various degrees of injuries," said S.D. Fakai, the

Katsina state police commissioner.

The commissioner described the Muslim preacher as "notorious" and said

he was directing abusive language at Christians. Then, thinking he was

about to be arrested, the preacher began shouting "God is great" while accusing the officer of trampling the Quran.

"Soon after the [preacher's] alarm, there was fighting between Muslims

and Christians and pandemonium in the market, which almost spread to the police station," Fakai told Compass. Police mobilized and quickly brought the crowd under control.

"A few suspects were arrested and the incident is under investigation," Fakai said.

Christian-Muslim tensions have increased in northern Nigeria during the last three years as fundamentalist Muslim leaders have pushed for the implementation of Islamic law.