Go to Admin » Appearance » Widgets » and move Gabfire Widget: Social into that MastheadOverlay zone
Death toll in the age-old communal feud among people of Offa and Erin Ile communities in Kwara State has increased, as the two warring communities renewed their hostilities on Wednesday.
Ten people from both communities were reportedly killed on Monday, as the people used weapons like guns, machetes, knives, including charms, in the ensuing breakdown law and order in the ancient communities.
However, the police have denied any casualty, just as unconfirmed sources said more than 10 people had been killed as of Wednesday, while properties worth millions of naira were said to have been destroyed.
A reliable police source in Ilorin also said an hotelier, who operates his hotel around Federal Polytechnic, Offa, was beheaded, while it was also reported that the the hotel was set ablaze
As a result of the renewed feud, the state government has, however, imposed a 24-hour curfew in the two affected towns with immediate effect.
A statement issued in Ilorin, on Wednesday, signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Isiaka Gold, said a 24-hour curfew in the two warring towns had been imposed with immediate effect.
The SSG said the curfew was to restore public order in both communities, following recent disturbances, adding that “all human and vehicular movement is hereby barred in Offa and Erin-Ile, in line with this order as the security agencies will deal decisively with any found contravening the curfew law.”
While assuring law-abiding citizens of its resolve to secure lives and properties, the state government said “it is determined to identify and prosecute those behind the recent crises in both communities.”
Nigerian Tribune gathered that the two communities were like war zones on Wednesday, as sporadic gunshots continued to rent the air, while residents of Offa, who live close to Erin-Ile, had relocated.
Investigations also revealed that some vehicles parked in front of the newly commissioned national secretariat of Offa Descendants Union were burnt, while the vehicular movement between the two towns had been suspended by the commercial operators.
It was also gathered that students of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, had been ordered to go on two-week compulsory vacation.
Due to the development, the state police command had deployed about 40 anti riot policemen in the towns to maintain law and order.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, on Wednesday, one of the high chiefs of Offa, Ojomu of Offa, Chief Bayo Akinola, called on the federal and state governments to rise up to the situation.
Akinola, who was in Ilorin to represent the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, at a workshop organised by the state government, said the national and state boundary commission should do justice to the disputed area.
“We (Offa) are for peace and will be ready to abide with the final justice on the matter, so as to move the state forward,” he said.
Also speaking, a former governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki, appealed for calm among the people of both towns.
Saraki charged the people of the two communities to give peace a chance and live harmoniously among themselves.
The senator, in a press statement from his media office, said “no communities will attract government and private patronage if there is no peace,” while it charged the people to tolerate each other.
Oyediran tunji
January 31, 2013 at 11:24 am
Where is d state government since deir start dis war b4 dey started killing and distroy property. And i tink dis started 4 days ago and our gvmt is sleeping den. Deir is n justice in dis state and Nigeria as a whole.
Oyediran tunji
January 31, 2013 at 11:28 am
D best solution to d matter is dat, let d millitry take over dat land and build barracks dere. To give peace btw d 2 community
Adeniyi Rauuph Bello
January 31, 2013 at 11:35 am
The permanent and the lasting solution is the only December-10-1973 jurdgement handed down by the supreme court of Nigeria. It is not that this said jurdgement faviour Erin Ile peoples/comunity, but Erin Ile only triying to abide by court order and given the respect to the law of the land (Nigeria) in order to give peace a chance. The real boundary between Offa and Erin Ile is situated at “ODO ABATA” now in Offa. Any other move (s) that, is not base on December-10- 1973 will-will never brings everlasting peace to the two comunities for ever.
sure_pass
February 25, 2013 at 9:16 am
u are a lier. U beta go and ask 4 history and stop posting rubbish “ODO ABATA” ko Afin elerin ni
Adebayo sule
January 31, 2013 at 2:32 pm
When justice n truth are bin cover up 4 long it will reach bottle up n snowbal in 2 situation like this, Erin ile is peace lovin n accomondatin community so when u are push 2 d wall u react there4 i enjoin govt 2 intervene fairly n also employ both communities 2 give peace a chance 4 d sake of future generation
taj
February 1, 2013 at 7:12 am
Yes! If truly the supreme court is the highest court of the land (Nigeria), and this court have ruled on this matter as far as 1973. The question is, why was the judgement not upheld?
Samuel ewah
February 2, 2013 at 8:47 am
The best thing the government should do btw d two communities is that the land should b use by the state government either 4 military or any other just to make this state a peaceful,they should d harmony in the state because the conflict is now affecting people,student and even self employ. Please our government should act fast because people are dying.
Joy
February 2, 2013 at 6:48 pm
Let gov take ova d boundary by buildin barrack on it
SAM
February 3, 2013 at 10:40 am
I SUGGESTED DAT D TWO OBA’S SHOULD BE EXPEL FRM OFFICE IF DEYU FAIL 2 MAKE PEACE ON DEIR TOWN
Oluwaseun
February 4, 2013 at 4:55 pm
d only solution to dis problem is, d state govt. shuld overtake d land and use it 2 build army barrack in other 4 peace 2 reign btw d 2 communities. cos dis crisis is really affectn people especially we student.
Lola oladele
February 8, 2013 at 5:03 pm
I have no offa for a very long time as a very peaceful community, offa accommodate stranger, they are very lovely people. Pls erinle people let peace rein, you started this fight by shooting at people. Where did erinle got all this ammunition they are using to fight offa self. Ha nawa o
Lola oladele
February 8, 2013 at 5:10 pm
I am not from offa but i do come to offa very well. They are very religion. You can never see any barrier in them. Offa is like heaven . Erinle if u think u have power, worrious, ammunitions or support from anybody, remember one day all dis things may not work for u again.
taj
March 7, 2013 at 7:22 pm
pls lola, do not come into the matter that does not concern you. Thanks