The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the Federal Government and Inspector General of Police (IGP) to intervene in the ongoing violence over Hijab policy in Kwara.
The appeal is contained in a statement issued on Thursday, March 18, by the General Secretary, CAN, Mr Joseph Daramola, in Abuja.
”We learnt that the State Government has ordered the reopening of the closed schools without resolving the crisis.
”Consequently, churches and mission schools are being vandalised with impunity by the hoodlums banking on the state government’s support in the pretext of enforcing the policy.
”Some innocent Christians are being violently abused and attacked under the watch of the Governor who is playing ostrich,” he said.
”Because it was his pronouncement on the issue of hijab wearing in violation of the court directive on the matter to maintain status quo until the matter is finally resolved by the court that led to this trouble,” it said.
CAN noted that wisdom was required by those in leadership to handle sensitive issues such as that of religion so as not to precipitate war.
”If any damage is done to any church or anyone is injured on this matter, the Governor of Kwara State will be held responsible.
“It is disheartening and unfortunate that a government that was installed democratically will become insensitive to the plight and the yearning of the people.
”As if the governor was voted into the office primarily to protect his own religion. This is unfair, ungodly and reprehensible.
”There are public schools and schools that belong to some Islamic organisations where those who wanted to be wearing hijab can be attending without causing the ongoing needless crisis rocking the state,” the statement read in part.
CAN however urged AbdulRazaq to give peace a chance in the state by ordering his hoodlums to stop attacking mission schools and churches before the situation degenerated into an unprecedented religious crisis.
