A Nigerian Christian was killed after he allegedly made blasphemous comments about the Prophet Mohammed.

Methodus Chimaije Emmanuel was attacked and killed by a mob in the town of Pandogari in central Nigeria on Sunday, the army confirmed. Violence escalated and three others were killed as the mob rampaged through the town, burning a church and looting dozens of shops.

The Nigerian army said it has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew and restored order on the town which lies on one of the main north-south connection roads in the West African country.

A statement from Major NC Agwu, the assistant director of the army's public relations, said arrests had been made in connection with the violence and suspects handed over to the local police.

The statement read: "At about 6pm on Sunday, 29 May 2016, one Mr. Methodus Chimaije Emmanuel, a 24 year old trader based in Pandogari, Rafi LGA of Niger State was attacked and killed by a mob in the town on allegation of posting a blasphemous statement about Prophet Muhammad on the social media.

"Troops of 31 Artillery Brigade of 1 Division, Nigerian Army... quickly intervened and restored law and order while a dusk to dawn curfew was imposed in the town.

"Early Monday morning however, the rioters embarked on further violence, looting shops and blocking the Lagos - Kaduna Road, a major artery connecting the northern and southern parts of the country.

"Again, troops in conjunction with the personnel of Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) took control of the situation to forestall escalation of violence and any threat to the peace in the town."

Attacks on Christians are not uncommon in Nigeria as the country is divided between a predominantly Muslim north and a Christian south.

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom last month branded Nigeria a "country of particular concern". It reported "high levels of distrust towards people of other religions and high levels of concern about religious conflict".