Hijab controversy: Church members storm Kwara school with praises, worship, prevent teachers, students from entering

There was a mild drama at the Cherubim and Seraphim School in Ilorin, on Friday, after members of the Cherubim and Seraphim church stormed the school singing and dancing, and blocking the entrance of the school to prevent teachers and students from gaining access to the school premises.

It was gathered that their action was as a result of the directive of the Kwara State Government to the 10 schools at the centre of the controversy over the use of the hijab, which has made some churches to refused to reopen the schools.

The affected schools are C&S College, Sabo-Oke; St. Anthony’s Secondary School, Offa Road; ECWA School, Oja Iya; Surulere Baptist Secondary School, and Bishop Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam.

Others are CAC Secondary School, Asa Dam road; St. Barnabas Secondary School, Sabo-Oke; St. John School Maraba; St. Williams Secondary School, Taiwo Isale, and St. James Secondary School, Maraba.

A heap of sand was seen at the entrance of the Cherubim and Seraphim School to prevent both teachers and pupils from gaining access.

Although the teachers turned up at Saint Anthony School, as directed by the government, they were seen gathered in groups discussing the situation.

Security operatives later intervened and forced opened gates of both schools.

The situation at Baptist School, Surulere, where crisis broke out two days ago was however peaceful as teachers gathered in groups inside the school.

The State Government had earlier on Thursday directed principals, teachers, and staff of the schools to reopen.

The government explained that the resumption became necessary in order to prepare the final year students for their external examinations.

The government warned that any staff that fails to report to duty will face the full wrath of the law as it will not condone any act of insubordination.