*CAN now becoming terrorist group, spreading crisis nationwide – Muslim observers
By KEMI KASUMU
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has been described as tending towards a terrorist organisation with its unabated war against Islam and Muslims in Nigeria.
CAN, which started its anti-Islamic activities and hate from the South West – using its members to block Muslims in public institutions mainly schools, hospitals and employment – long ago, with the media coming handy, is said to have now begun to climb up North ostensibly orchestrating the ongoing chaos rocking the Islamic society of Kwara.
Muslims following the event since it started said the Christian Association of Nigeria started the crisis because its members persecuted and locked out Muslim female students behind gates forcing them to remove their hijab, happening in Muslim dominated Kwara, where its member churches mobilized their members and thugs who occupied the 10 schools insisting that Muslim girls wearing hijab must not be allowed to enter.
The situation degenerated to a stage where the Muslim side did counter mobilisation and crisis ensued between both regious sides on Wednesday 17 March 2021 when the government’s order for the affected schools to resume should be implemented.
Christian Association of Nigeria has been clear on threat to cause what has now played out over the matter described by many, including the Emir of Ilorin Mai Martaba Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari and Morkaz Alumni, as unnecessary and condemnable as they said head cover is not strange to Christianity.
In the meantime, the Kwara State Government on Thursday handed a warning to principals and teachers of the affected schools hitherto closed down over the hijab crisis to resume work on Friday, March 19 or risk sanctions in line with public service rules.
The warning came as some of the schools were yet to commence academic activities despite government’s announcement of reopening Tuesday, March 16.
It will be recalled that 10 schools within the Islamic society IIorin were shut down over denial of Muslim students the use of hijab.
Some church authorities caused blockade to the schools, disallowing Muslim pupils on hijab from entering the Kwara State public schools.
In a statement by the Press Secretary, Kwara State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Mr. Amogbonjaye Peter, principals and teachers of the 10 affected schools were directed to report for duty on Friday, March 19 by 8am unfailingly.
Chairman of the Commission, Mallam Bello Tahueed Abubakar explained that the teachers’ resumption becomes necessary in order to prepare the final year students for their external examinations.
According to him, “Any staff that fails to report to their duty would face the full wrath of the law as the government will not condone any act of insurbodination.”
The Chairman, meanwhile, appealed to stakeholders to desist from taking the law into their hands, as peace meeting continues between the government and stakeholders.
The government said it regretted the inconveniences the shutdown might have caused the students, saying that the action was taken in the interest of peace.
He also appealed to parents and members of the public to remain calm as the government is on the top of the situation.
