Hijab Crisis: Churches, schools attacked in Kwara

The hijab crisis in Kwara State escalated as suspected hoodlums attacked schools, churches and shopping centres in Ilorin, the state capital.

Eyewitnesses say things would have gotten out of hand but for the prompt intervention of personnel of the State Police command, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Army.

The hoodlums, it was gathered, brandished dangerous weapons including cutlasses and bottles while matching along some roads in Ilorin metropolis.

According to eyewitnesses, the hoodlums threw stones into the premises of Cherubim and Seraphim school at Sabo- Oke, Ilorin in a bid to force open the gate of the school.

The violence later spread to St. Barnabas LGEA primary school, Murtala Muhammad way, Ilorin and some churches in the area.

There were also reported cases of gunshots from the men of the military after a rioter allegedly stoned an officer at one of the affected schools.

The development reportedly caused palpable tension among residents and forced shop owners located in the area to hurriedly close their shops and scampered to safety.

Some of the affected areas include Sabo Oke, Murtala Muhammad, Surulere, Maraba, Post Office and Offa road ; all in Ilorin metropolis.

The spokesman of the State Police Command, Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed that normalcy had been returned to schools and business complexes in the state capital.

But it may yet be short-lived as the burning issue of wearing hijabs to mission schools lingers.