Officers of the State Security Service and Christian leaders on Wednesday averted a religious crisis at the Cherubim and Seraphim College, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Some students and staff of the college told journalists in Ilorin that some teaching and non teaching muslim staff of the school had organised a pre-Ramadan lecture in the school, against the instruction of the school authorities.

The muslim staff allegedly claimed to have obtained permission from the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Alhaji Lamidi Alabi, for the event.

According to eyewitnesses, trouble started when on Wednesday morning, some Muslim clerics invited by the organisers of the lecture arrived at the school compound in large numbers and were challenged by those who were opposed to hosting the event in the school.

When informed about the development, leaders of the Cherubim and Seraphim faith, including their Supreme Head (Baba Aladura), Apostle Samuel Abidoye, stormed the school.

However, the timely arrival of plain clothes security agents said to be SSS officers and leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria as well as the youth wing of CAN was said to have calmed frayed nerves.

The SSS officials and christian leaders were said to have appealed to both parties to maintain the peace.

Abidoye said it was shocking that some staff of the school could allegedly flout an existing regulation, an action he said could aggravate religious and security tension.

He added that the school and members of the church said to be the owners of the school, had built a mosque for their muslim students and staff as a way of promoting religous tolerance in the school. He warned that their tolerance and broadmindedness should not be abused.

Alabi denied authorising the teachers to hold the event in the school. He stated that they approached him but he brokered a joint meeting between the muslims and the Christians and it was jointly agreed that the event should not hold.

YOWINCAN, later in a statement by its state chapter President, Pastor James Ataleshe, and Secretary, Mr. O.T. Olorunnisola, said there was the need for people to learn how to conduct affairs in such a way that would not tamper with the harmonious existence of the major religions (Christianity and Islam) in the school and Kwara State.