The face-off between Muslims and Christians over the use of Hijab in mission schools in Kwara State remains intractable as another violent clash broke out at C&S College Sabo Oke, in Ilorin, on Monday.
It took the intervention of the security agents to avert what could have turned a major crisis when some unidentified machete wielding persons invaded the school where some Christians, in prayer robes had laid siege on the school gate to prevent entry for both staff and students.
The state government on Friday ordered the ten mission schools shut down to resume classes to enable intending WASC students prepare for their examinations.
But the Christian founders of the schools have remained adamant, insisting that the use of hijab will not be allowed in their mission schools while also demanding the return of the schools to them.
The Monday incident is the second in the spate of violence clash on the issue of Hijab.
Although security operatives were sighted at the scene, the situation, turned chaotic and violent as the invaders pushed to forcefully open the school gate.
The presence of Malam Tauheed Bello, the Chairman of the state Teaching Service Commission, TESCOM who came to appease the warring factions could not abate the tension as another violent clash broke out following gunshots fired from inside Emmanuel Baptist church, opposite the school. The church was also pelted with stones and other objects.
The clash spread to the neighbouring St Barnabas LGEA primary school and some churches in the area as people armed with cutlasses and broken bottles went on a rampage. It was apparent that community had mobilised to counter the attack in a bid to protect their people and property.
The state Police Command’s Spokesman, Mr Okasanmi Ajayi, who was at the scene, told reporters that the situation was under control. He also confirmed that aside from the situation at the C&S College, Sabo Oke, normalcy had returned to the other nine mission schools involved in the issue of hijab, in the state.
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