Tension in Kwara State, as the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) have told the state government that they would resist the wearing of the hijab (veil) in their schools by all legitimate means.

The Christian body in agreement with Kwara Baptist Conference also demanded the immediate return of their schools.

The churches said they were not consulted before ‘compulsory hijab’ decisions were taken.

They stressed that the state government was ill-advised in approving blanket wearing of the hijab by female students in grant-aided mission schools in the state.

Controversies have trailed the wearing of hijab in grant-aided mission schools as approved by the state government in the schools.

The Chairman ECWA Ilorin District Church Council, Rev John Owoeye, said, “We demand the return of our schools to us in earnest. Also, we want the government to be informed that her decision and plan to provide hijab and enforce its use in our Christian mission grant-aided schools will not be tolerated.

“For us, it is an infringement on our freedom of religion as enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria. Moreover, we are saying that we refuse the enforcement of hijab on our pupils and students by the state government.

“Our schools are church heritage and we shall use every illicit means to protect it. We promise to defend our faith and property with the whole of our strength and might.”