Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, is witnessing rising religious tensions following two deeply troubling incidents that have shaken the community and reignited national debate on religious freedom and intolerance in Nigeria.
In a tragic event that has drawn widespread condemnation, a young man identified as Sadiq, reportedly the only son in a family of four, was killed after converting from Islam to Christianity. Eyewitnesses allege that Sadiq had faced persistent threats from family members and others who opposed his conversion. Despite being warned not to attend church, he continued to practice his new faith—an act that allegedly led to his brutal murder by a group of Islamic extremists who assaulted and burned his body.
The incident has not only shocked the Ilorin community but also sparked national outrage. As of the time of this report, authorities have not issued an official statement, and it remains unclear whether any arrests have been made. Human rights advocates have called for a swift and thorough investigation, demanding justice for Sadiq and emphasizing the importance of upholding Nigeria’s constitutional right to religious freedom.
In a separate but related incident, at least 20 Christians, including three pastors, were injured when a mob of Muslims attacked the First Baptist Church of Surulere in Ilorin on March 18. The Christians had gathered for a peaceful protest when the crowd overwhelmed the police presence, pelting stones for over an hour and threatening to burn down the church.
The protest was organized in response to a directive by the Kwara State Government mandating Christian schools to permit Muslim female students to wear hijabs. Church leaders argue that the policy infringes on the religious identity of Christian schools and violates their foundational values. They contend that the hijab directive is an attempt to “Islamise” mission schools through indirect means.
The attackers reportedly extended their rampage to another church in Ilorin not involved in the protest, further escalating tensions. Christian leaders have warned that the hijab policy could worsen existing divides and lead to further conflict if not addressed through dialogue and mutual respect.
Reuben Idowu Ibitoye, Secretary-General of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kwara State, has voiced strong opposition to the policy, stating that it not only undermines Christian school values but also puts students at risk. According to Ibitoye, allowing hijabs may enable extremists to more easily identify and target Christian pupils in the event of school abductions, worsening insecurity in the region.
