Groups fight over hijab as Kwara reopens schools

For the second time in less than one week, Muslims and Christians in Kwara returned to the trenches over the raging issue of hijab that has engulfed the state throwing stones and other weapons at each other.

The incident which occurred at the Sabo-Oke parish of the Cherubim and Seraphim School attracted the combined efforts of officers and men of the Kwara state Police command, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Army who were mobilized to prevent breakdown of law and order.

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Trouble reportedly started when the Christians insisted that female students wearing hijab should not be allowed onto the school premises in line with the government directive, an action which was rejected by the Muslims who attempted to gain entrance into the school premises.

One of the students, Ibrahim Nurudeen, who spoke to our correspondent said the students and teachers were prevented from entering the school premises.

But attempt by some masked hoodlums who brandished cutlasses and bottles to take advantage of the situation to attack shops was foiled by the security agencies, it was further gathered.

Some of the residents and shop owners who were caught in the melee hurriedly locked their shops to avoid destruction and damage of goods and properties.

Also, there were reported gunshots from the men of the military while the incident lasted.

Meanwhile, normal academic activities commenced in most of the other nine affected schools as both students and teachers entered the schools with little resistance from the school management.

Some students who spoke on the matter expressed joy and happiness to return to their school to resume classes.

A Muslim activist and Chairman of Muslim Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Abdulrahman Abdulmumin who said that he was at Baptist Secondary School to ensure that the school obeyed the government directive on the wearing of hijab stated that the Muslims will ensure that justice is achieved and peace maintained at the end of the whole saga.

Speaking on the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ajayi Okasanmi, said that the prompt intervention of men of the command nipped the situation in the bud, saying that normalcy had since been returned to schools and business communities in the metropolis.

Meanwhile, the state government on Monday said that it is gradually achieving its aim, just as some students reportedly resumed classes while Muslim female students were in hijab.

Speaking with journalists at the Surulere Baptist school, Ilorin during his monitoring to the 10 schools on Monday, the chairman Teaching Service Commission, Bello Abubakar, said that the government is gradually achieving her aim, adding that some SS3 and other students had resumed for lectures.