by Oke Efagene

The Osun State Police Command yesterday, 25 November, 2013, prevented what could have led to a religious crisis between Christians and Muslims in the quiet town of Ejigbo, Osun State when hoodlums severely beat up a secondary school principal.

It was gathered that the hoodlums who were said to be hired by the Muslims in the town, arrived at the Baptist High School at 8:00am and headed to the school office where they made enquiries before attacking the principal. This attack was as a result of a situation that occurred last week Friday when a female student was reportedly sent home by the school authorities for using a veil (hijab) in the school.

It will be recalled that a similar incident happened 9 months ago in Lagos when a female secondary school student was flogged by the school principal for wearing  hijab in the school premises.

Vanguard reports:

Our correspondent also learnt that the Muslim youths in the town mobilised and moved to the school to demand an apology from the school principal and his refusal to grant  their demand resulted to his beating.

It was learnt that dangerous weapons such as axes, cutlasses and charms were freely used by the irate youths on the  Principal who in the process sustained injuries. Also, it was learnt that some teachers in the school who attempted to rescue the principal were seriously beaten by the mob who descended on some members of staff of the school.

The traditional ruler of the community, the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyesosin, was said to have prevailed over the situation and ordered the Principal and other affected teachers to be taken to his palace for security reason.

Until recently, the Baptist High School, Ejigbo was a missionary school, but the schools reclassification programme of the state government affected its nomenclature as students from other schools were merged with those of the school.