The new education policy in Osun State claimed
its first casualty on Monday as fierce-looking
Muslim youths invaded the Baptist High School,
Ejigbo, and beat up the students and teachers.
The principal of the school, Mr. Layi Oguntola,
was thoroughly beaten and injured. Oguntola, as
of the time of this report, was said to be
receiving treatment at the Baptist Medical Centre,
Ejigbo.
The attackers said they came because the school
authorities stopped some Muslim pupils from
wearing the hijab.
The hijab is a scarf that covers the head and
chest, specially worn by a Muslim female.
Our correspondent learnt that the attackers
stormed the school while the students were
already seated in their classrooms.
They were said to have headed straight for the
Principal’s Office and asked Oguntola to
apologise for sending the hijab-wearing students
away from school but the principal refused to do
so.
There have been protests when the Governor Rauf
Aregbesola administration recently introduced a
new education policy, which entails merger and
reclassification of schools in the state.
The Baptist conference specifically said it would
not allow hijab-wearing students in its schools.
On Monday, the attacked students and teachers
were said to have run for refuge at the palace of
the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyesosin.
The monarch was also said to have been
instrumental to the rescue of the wounded
principal from the attackers, made up of mostly
youths.
The attack forced the Baptist High School and
other schools in the town to close abruptly for the
day as police were deployed in the town to
forestall reprisal.
Some Muslim students of the school were said to
have been turned back last week for wearing hijab
on their uniforms and their parents were said to
have reported the case to members of an Islamic
sect in the town.
Tension started building in the town following the
attack and the speculations that the attackers
were also planning to set ablaze the United
Baptist Church, close to the school.
Some Christian youths were also said to have
mobilised to defend the church.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state,
Mrs. Folasade Odoro, when contacted, said she
would find out the details of the incident and get
back to our correspondent.
Commissioner for Information, Mr. Sunday Akere,
confirmed the incident, which he described as an
unfortunate one.
He appealed to the people of the state to shun
violence, saying the state government in
collaboration with security agencies would
investigate and get to the root of the matter.
He said, “It is unfortunate that this happened at a
time when we are already achieving peace in the
area of schools reclassification.
“We are calling on all religious leaders and
stakeholders to refrain from taking steps which
could lead to the breakdown of law and order.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/hijab-youths-attack-osun-school-beat-up-principal/

I respect Aregbesola but the way he is going about this government program is not good. I remembered we use to have Islamic,Government and Christian school separately. This is what I expect him to apply so any where,you can send your child to.
I refuse to believe that his objective is to Islamize Osun State. There should be freedom of religion.
If they want to wear the hijab,let them go to Islamic school. Can they allow a Christian lady to enter their mosque to pray. If they insist to attend Baptist school then they should abide by the rules and regulations.