Violence broke out between Muslims and Christians in Ilorin on Wednesday after the Kwara state government reopened some schools it had shut down over controversy on hijab.
The state government had ordered the reopening of 10 schools it closed on February 19 over a dispute on the usage of the hijab headgear usually worn by Muslim female students in the state.
The government had set up a committee to find a solution to the discord. It had also announced that the schools should resume with Muslim female students allowed to use hijab.
But the violence, however, ensued after Christian officials of the Baptist School situated in the Surulere area of the capital city were said to have disallowed girls in hijab from gaining access into the school.
It is understood that this caused a stir among Muslim parents, leading to arguments and a clash where both Christian and Muslim adherents hurled objects at one another.
It was also gathered that the security operatives close to the area immediately called for back up after which the crowd was dispersed with tear gas.
Speaking on the incident, Ajayi Okasannmi Jeffrey, the spokesperson of the state police command, charged citizens to remain calm while the state government works towards fully resolving the controversy.
“You’re aware there’s been a disagreement about the female Muslim students and the wearing of the Hijab. The government directed that the school should be reopened today,” the PPRO said.
“The Muslims are insisting on entering the school with Hijab; the Christians are saying they’re not going to enter.
“Our primary duty is to ensure that there is peace and that’s exactly what we are doing. We’ve responded by ensuring that there is no breakdown of law and order.
“The commissioner o police have deployed so many police operatives there. So we’re managing it. We advised the citizens to maintain peace and abide by the decision of the government until the matter is fully resolved.”
Meanwhile, some residents took to their Twitter pages to share videos from the confrontations.
Why will Kwara Government insist on wearing of Hijab to Christian schools whereas CRK and Christian prayer cannot be done in Muslims school.
Christians do not need to be marginalized and their rights trampled on.#cryptocurrency #efcc
Lagos USSD iniesta Nigerrepublic pic.twitter.com/GDklk9JPYK— socialbizworld (@socialbizworld1) March 17, 2021
Kwara Hijab Crisis : [Watch Video] : Muslim Faithfuls Chanting 'LAILAH ILAHLAH" at Baptist Secondary School, Surulere, Ilorin, Kwara State. #SituationReport #Report #ShopenReport pic.twitter.com/6zcQWxEoYQ
— Sho pen online (@SHOPEN_ONLINE) March 17, 2021
Hijab crisis: 3 injured as Christians, Muslims clash in Kwara pic.twitter.com/fVKqR9WOFp
— The Informant247 (@TheInformant247) March 17, 2021
Christians and Muslims clash in Ilorin, Kwara state capital after the state government reopened 10 Christian schools which were initially shut down over a hijab controversy.#kwara #ilorin #religionclash pic.twitter.com/vqu1kqDXyz
— Hannah Olutayo Bassey (@Olutee_official) March 17, 2021
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This country is gradually becoming an Islamic country.
How can you mandate the Christian school to indirectly turn to a Muslim school?
Muslim schools don’t allow anything Christian so, why forcing Islam attire on Christian school. This war will affect everywhere in this porous country.
If you can’t allow CRK to be taught in your Muslim schools, why will you insist that your girls must wear hijabs in a Christian founded institution. Let’s face the fact, this is an affront on Christians and Christianity in that state. People need to stop giving to others what they cannot take. Remember, no one has the monopoly of violence. Embrace peace. Violence begets no good thing.