From Alfred Babs, Ilorin

A student was feared killed while several others sustained serious injuries in Ijagbo in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State on Thursday following a renewed clash between Muslims and Christians over the wearing of hijab (a Muslim veil usually won by female Muslims .

Kwara state government has however shut down the school, Oyun Baptist High School (OBHS), Ijagbo following a clash over the lingering hijab crisis in the school.

It was gathered that unknown 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 few others sustained injuries during the clash.

The name of the victim was given as  Habeen Mustapha.Armed security men who were called to maintain peace in the area blocked Osogbo-Offa-Ajase Ipo Federal Highway and prevented travellers from passing through while commercial and private vehicles had to pass through another route.
Kwara state Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ajayi Okasanmi.
“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 police men deployed to Ijagbo have successfully restored peace and are also on ground to ensure that no further break down 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 was  the break down of law and other between Ijagbo Community and protesting  Muslim parents, where dangerous weapons were freely used.

“However, Kwara State Government delegation is already in Ijagbo to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
 The commissioner of police, Kwara State, CP Tuesday Assayomo has appealed to the warring parties to embrace peace and shun any act that could jeopardize the current peace in the area, as the police have been directed to arrest any one found in any way truncating the hard earned peace in Kwara State, as such persons would be made to face the full wrath of the law, please.”

However the state Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo- Kawu said that the government condemned the act and announced the shutdown of the school in a statement by the Press Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Yaqub Aliagan.

According to the statement, “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 a deterrence to others. 

“The government appeals for calm as violence brings nothing good”, the statement said.

Effort to get the reaction of the State Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Reuben Ibitoye proved abortive as his telephone number was switched off.

Recall that the Kwara State Government two weeks ago called the management of the school to the office of the State Teaching Service Commission TESCOM while another meeting was held by the state Commissioner for Education with both Muslim and Christian leaders on the issue, but could not resolve the issue.