Hijab Crisis: Kwara Govt Condemns Violence in Ijagbo
The Kwara State Government on Thursday totally condemned the resort to violence in the government-owned Oyun Baptist Secondary School, Ijagbo over the wearing of Hijab by students.
Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, State’s Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development in a statement in Ilorin said this is totally unacceptable to the government.
According to her, 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,” she said
The commissioner appealed for calm, saying that as violence will bring nothing good to the state.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Police Command said it had successfully restored peace and are also on ground to ensure that no further break down of law and order is allowed.
“The 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 have been deployed to Ijagbo.
“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.”
The police spokesperson, SP Okasanmi Ajayi said in a statement that, Kwara State Government delegation is already in Ijagbo to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
According to him, 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,
“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,” he said.
Edited by Felix Ajide
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