By Correspondent in Ilorin
The Kwara State Police Command has debunked news making the rounds in some National dailies to the effect that churches were razed,shops looted and business offices vandalized by protesters in Ilorin metropolis.
This is contained in a statement signed by Sp Okasanmi Ajayi, the Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO) in Ilorin on Tuesday.
He said:”The command wishes to debunk the story in its entirety, no single church was burnt, no shop was looted neither was any business facility closed down as a result of the hijab milieu.
“Recall that the state government shot 10 Christian grant in aid schools over their refusal to allow hijab adorning female students entrance into the schools after a court judgement to that effect.
“The announcement of the opening of the shot schools heralded the protests by the church proprietors who insisted that no female students with hijab would be allowed entry, and the attendant insistence by the Muslims that the female students must be allowed to enter the schools in hijab.
“However, all through this, the command has deployed adequate Police men and other security agencies in all the schools/churches, the protests which were restricted to the schools have been peaceful all these while.
“Efforts by hoodlums to hijack the process was vehemently resisted by the police. The professional handling of the protests has been commended by all parties involved including the government.
“The commissioner of Police, Kwara State Police Command, CP Mohammed Lawal Bagega psc, wishes to advise our friends in the press to continue with their support to the Command as usual but must continue to verify their stories before going public.”
The PRO quoted his boss as saying that “what the state needs now is a joint effort to sustain the peace and harmony Kwara State is known with.
“The command is also assuring members of the public of her readiness to protect all law abiding citizens while criminals will be arrested and dealt with in accordance with the law.”
