Police restore peace in Kwara after crisis over hijab controversy

The police command in Kwara has restored peace and order in Surulere area, Ilorin, after violence erupted over a directive on the use of hijab in schools across the state.

There was a clash between Muslims and Christians on Wednesday, after officials of the Baptist School in Surulere denied girls in hijab from gaining access into the school.

Ajayi Okasanmi, the police public relations officer (PPRO) in the state, confirmed that order had been restored in the area in a telephone interview with NAN.

According to him, the violence erupted between the Christian and Muslim faithful following the announcement by the state government to re-open the schools after it had been closed since February 19.

“The situation grew worse as angry Christian and Muslim faithful started throwing various objects such as stones, plastic chairs, and empty canned drinks at themselves,” he said.

“The security operatives deployed there called for reinforcement to calm the situation and the situation has been brought under control.

”Peace and order has been restored in the affected schools and everyone is now going about their normal activities.”

Following a decision by the state government allowing the use of hijab, 10 affected schools which had been shut down over the controversy were asked to resume on March 17.

Some churches have, however, kicked against the directive.

The affected schools include C&S College, Sabo-Oke; St. Anthony’s Secondary School, Offa Road; ECWA School, Oja Iya; Surulere Baptist Secondary School, and Bishop Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam.

Others are: CAC Secondary School, Asa Dam road; St. Barnabas Secondary School, Sabo-Oke; St. John School Maraba; St. Williams Secondary School, Taiwo Isale, and St. James Secondary School, Maraba.