Hijab Controversy: Christians, Muslims clash as Kwara reopens schools

There was a clash between Muslim and Christian faithful on Wednesday in Ilorin after the Kwara State Government reopened 10 schools shut over hijab (Islamic headscarf) controversy.

It was learnt that students wearing hijab were disallowed from entering Baptist School, Surulere by some protesting Christians.

An eyewitness told our correspondent that this led to an altercation between the Muslims and Christians.

The altercation, the eyewitness said, eventually led to a clash that saw the Muslims and Christians throwing objects at themselves.

It was learnt that it took the intervention of security operatives to restore peace.

During their protest, the Christians displayed placards with various inscriptions such as ‘No Hijab in Baptist Schools and all mission/grant-aided schools’, ‘Otoge, give us back our schools, among others.

Our correspondent gathered that both Muslim and Christian organisations had mobilised their members to monitor activities at the reopened schools on Wednesday.

It was also learnt that there was a protest at C&S College, Sabo Oke, Ilorin.

The protesters reportedly dressed in white garments and caps and peevented Muslim pupils from entering the school with their hijab.