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The disturbing hijab crisis in Kwara State was heightened yesterday as suspected hoodlums attacked schools and shopping centres in Ilorin, the state capital.
The Christian community, the former owner of the 10 government grant- aided schools also mobilised its own forces to counter the attack in the bid to protect their people and property.
The prompt intervention of personnel of the State Police command, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Army, however, saved the situation from getting out of hand.
The hoodlums, it was gathered, brandished dangerous weapons including cutlasses and bottles while matching along some roads in Ilorin metropolis.
Some of the hoodlums spotted along Offa road, G.R.A, Ilorin wore masks apparently to cover their identity.
According to eyewitnesses, the hoodlums threw stones into the premises of Cherubim and Seraphim school at Sabo- Oke, Ilorin in a bid to force open the gate of the school.
The violence also spread to St. Barnabas LGEA Primary School, Murtala Muhammad Way, Ilorin and some churches in the area.
The Christian community mobilised its own forces to counter the attack in a bid to protect their people and property.
Owners of shops and offices located in the areas hurriedly closed for the day, to avoid attack.
It was reported that some shops were looted by the hoodlums.
Armed security agents patrolled the metropolis to restore peace.
Police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi said the prompt intervention of their men and officers prevented the situation from worsening.
He said peace had been restored.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) yesterday advised Kwara State Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRasaq not to set the state on fire with the hijab issue.
It spoke at Cornerstone City, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, through its President, Bishop Wale Oke, while hosting the Ekiti and Ondo chapters of the Fellowship led by Bishop Clement Abifade and Bishop Joshua Kolawole Opayinka.
Bishop Oke said if the hijab issue was not handled with care, it could cause crisis in the country.