Again, hoodlums attack schools, churches in Ilorin over hijab

Hoodlums have again attacked churches, shops and schools in the Sabo-Oke, Muritala Mohammed Way, among other areas of Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State, as controversy over wearing hijab in some public mission schools rages.

Other places affected in the attacks that occurred on Monday are Post Office, Surulere and Maraba where churches and Christian schools are located.

The situation created tension in the areas and it took the combined efforts of personnel of the Kwara State Police Command, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigerian Army to quell it and avert a complete breakdown of law and order.

The hoodlums, who wore masks, were armed with machetes, cutlasses, bottles and other dangerous weapons, as they marched through roads in the affected areas.

For instance, they hurled stones and other missiles on the premises of the Cherubim and Seraphim College, Sabo Oke, Ilorin despite the presence of military personnel stationed at the entrance gate of the school.

The violence also spread to St. Barnabas LGEA primary school, Murtala Muhammad way, Ilorin and some churches in the area.

Spokesman for the Kwara State Police Command, Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the incident, adding that the prompt intervention of personnel from the command saved the situation from further spreading.

Normalcy, he said, had returned to the areas.