Lagos, Nigeria — Islamic Sharia law entered its second day Thursday in Nigeria's northwestern state of Jigawa, where it was introduced Wednesday.

Jigawa became the sixth state in the federation to launch the controversial code.

However, state governor Ibrahim Turaki and his deputy, Ibrahim Kwatalo, missed the launching ceremony. They were reported to have travelled to Europe.

In a speech read on his behalf by the Secretary to the State Government, Turaki said that the introduction of the law was in response to the aspirations of the people.

"The people of Jigawa state have long waited for a moment in their lives when they will practice their religion better under a Sharia legal system," he said at the modest launching ceremony at Dutse, the state capital.

"But let me warn that only the constituted authorities in whose hands power resides have the right under the law to arrest and prosecute offenders," the governor said, in an apparent move to douse the fears of the minority Christians in the state.

On the eve of the launch, filing fees in area courts were abolished while all liquor licences were revoked and brothels closed down.

Drinking and prostitution are prohibited under the Koran- based Sharia, which also prescribes death by stoning for adultery and hand amputation for stealing.

Sharia has proven to be the most divisive issue in Nigeria since the 29 May 1999 return to civil rule, with Christians and Moslems pitched in opposing camps.

Christians said its introduction contravened the 1999 constitution, which states that Nigeria is a secular state.

But Moslems contend that the Sharia is an integral part of their Islamic faith.

Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, Katsina and Kano states have already introduced the Sharia.

Hundreds of persons were killed in clashes between Christians and Moslems earlier this year when a proposal was mad3 to introduce the Sharia in Kaduna State, widely regarded as the political capital of the north.