Kwara State Government on Thursday shut down Oyun Baptist High School, Ijagbo in Oyun Local Government Area of the state following a clash over the protracted hijab crisis in the school.
It was gathered that some armed men unleashed terror on the students during a peaceful protest outside the school gate at about 8am on Thursday.
Unconfirmed report said that a student was feared dead while some others were injured during the clash between Christians and Muslims over the wearing of hijab by female Muslim students.
The name of the victim was given as Habeen Mustapha.
Armed security men, who were drafted to maintain peace in the area, blocked the Osogbo-Offa-Ajase Ipo Highway and prevented travellers from passing through.
The state police command confirmed the incident in a statement by its spokesman, Ajayi Okasanmi.
The statement read, “The Kwara State Police Command wishes to inform the general public, especially citizens and residents of Ijagbo community and its environs, that the command’s tactical units and conventional policemen deployed in Ijagbo have successfully restored peace and are also on ground to ensure that no further breakdown of law and order is allowed.
“The above action is sequel to the crisis related to the wearing of hijab in schools which matter has been in contention between the Christian and Muslim faithful in Kwara State. Of current concern is the breakdown of law and other between Ijagbo Community and protesting Muslim parents, where weapons were freely used.”
The state Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu, said the government condemned the act and announced the shutdown of the school in a statement by the ministry’s Press Secretary, Mr Yaqub Aliagan.
The statement read, “The Kwara State Government totally condemns the resort to violence in the government-owned Oyun Baptist Secondary School, Ijagbo, on Thursday. This is totally unacceptable.
“The Kwara State Government unreservedly condemns the flagrant act of discrimination against anyone, especially children, on religious grounds. Such discrimination will not be tolerated in any public-owned institution in the state.
“While the government and the security agencies continue to work with leaders on all sides, it hereby directs the immediate shutdown of the school pending resolution of the issue.
“The government commends the security agencies for their prompt action that has restored calm in the area. The government calls on them to investigate and bring to book anyone linked to the violence as deterrence to others.
“The government appeals for calm as violence brings nothing good.
Efforts to get the reaction of the state Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Reuben Ibitoye, proved abortive as his telephone number was switched off.
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