
At least one person has been reportedly killed today and many sustained different degrees of injuries as unknown armed officials unleashed terror on peaceful protesters at government-owned Oyun Baptist High School (OBHS) Ijagbo, Kwara State.
The name of the deceased is given as Habeen Mustapha.
It is gathered that this unrest is a result of the Management of OBHS’s decision on the 17th January, 2022 that all Muslim students should not wear hijab to the school.
Investigation has it that the Kwara State Government had called the management of the school to Government House on the issue, but both parties refuse to address the press as of this time.
Kwara State: Oyun Baptist High School Ijagbo Denied Muslims’ Students their Right to Religion
In the same development, Muslim students of Oyun Baptist High School arrived at the Kwara State government house this morning to inform the Executive Governor, Mr. AbdulRahman Abdurrazaq about the non-compliance of their school management to his directive on Hijab.
It would be recalled that the governor had earlier reaffirmed the use of Hijab for any willing student in the State public schools but the Christian body ignored the directive, barred students from entering the school premises in Hijab.
Meanwhile, a statement signed by the Kwara State Honourable Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu today, stated that the 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.
Hajia Sa’adatu said, ” 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 added.
Oyun Baptist High School was established in 1972 and situated in Ijagbo, Ajase Ipo Road, Opposite former Okin Biscuits Industry in Ijagbo-Offa Kwara State.