Reports say that hoodlums have attempted to burn down a Christian school in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State.
The incident occurred in the evening of Monday, 8th March. It is reported to be a fall out of the controversy surrounding government’s order that all female students wear hijab to school as uniforms.
Eyewitnesses say that some unidentified thugs are said to have stormed the Surulere Baptist School in Ilorin and attempted to burn it down.
It took the swift response of security operatives to save the school which has a church located within the premises.
Their action averted a major fire incident that would have caused colossal damage to the school and church.
Our sources say that the hoodlums set tyres on fire and threw them into the school premises at about 5:00pm on Monday.
Reports say that arrests have not yet been confirmed but security has been beefed up around the 10 Christian schools in Ilorin.
The schools were earlier shut down by the state government following the hijab controversy that trailed the government hijab uniform order.
Read: Hijab Dispute: Kwara Government Shuts Down 10 Schools
The spokesperson of the State Police Command, Mr Okasannmi Ajayi told newsmen that the Police Commissioner, Mr Mohammed Lawal Bagega has directed the DPO in charge of the area, “To clear all unused tyres within the area and beef up security.
Eyewitnesses say that the burning tyres have been doused and evacuated while policemen are stationed in the school areas.
Christian schools in Kwara State have protested the government order that hijab be implemented as uniform dress code in all government school.
The controversy heightened tensions leading to an order that all affected schools remain closed until further notice.
Read also:
February 1 is World Hijab Day, Aisha Yesufu Demands Respect for Her Choice (video)