Soldier charged over Kaduna killings

The trial of a Christian soldier accused of killing seven people including a Moslem preacher, in Kaduna northern Nigeria, began on Wednesday before a military tribunal, the Guardian newspaper reported. The incident took place a month ago. Corporal Michael Bawa, who denied the charge, is said to have been alerted by some people at a religious event about 'inciting sermons' by the preacher which could 'heighten tension in the area'. A face-off was said to have ensued between the armed soldiers and the Islamic preacher, followed by the shooting. Nigeria has in the last few months been gripped by religious and ethnic conflicts. In November, 50 people were reported dead in clashes between people from the Tiv and Jukun communities, bordering Taraba and Benue states in the centre of the country. Military personnel sent to quell the conflict got entangled and lost 19 men, before going on a revenge killing spree in which another 200 people died, news agencies reported.