Christian and Muslim parents of students in mission schools in Kwara State clashed on Wednesday after the government directed for the reopening of 10 mission schools previously shut down over the hijab controversy.
The clash happened after the government late Tuesday night directed that the schools be reopened for academic activities this Wednesday.
Announcing the reopening of the schools in a statement issued by Mrs Kemi Adeosun, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, the government said it “is convinced that its policy to allow willing Muslim schoolgirls to wear their hijab in public schools will lead to sustainable peace and communal harmony anchored on mutual respect and understanding.”
However, some students and teachers, who resumed classes on Wednesday following the governor’s order, were reportedly denied entrance into the school premises.
It was gathered that the fight started after Christian officials of Baptist school, Surulere denied girls wearing hijab into the school premises entrance. This act did not go well with Muslim parents resulting in arguments and eventual clash.
The situation, it was learnt, grew worse when Christian parents of the students supported that Muslim students wearing hijab should not be allowed entrance into the school.
FirstNews gathered that the situation later snowballed into Christians and Muslims throwing various objects at each other.
Peace later returned to the area after security operatives around the school called for reinforcement to control the situation.
Some Christian teachers and management staff were seen displaying placards in protest to express their displeasure over the government’s decision.