The Kwara State government has Thursday imposed a curfew on Offa and Erinle towns.
The curfew, according to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, will be in force between 6pm and 8am until further notice.
The declaration of the curfew follows the renewed hostilities between some groups of persons from the two communities.
Offa and Erinle have always been enmeshed in serious communal clashes that date back to antiquity.
“The curfew takes immediate effect from 6p.m. today Thursday March 4, 2021. Security agencies have been deployed to enforce the curfew. While security forces on ground are to maintain the peace, military reinforcements from Sobi Barracks and the Mobile Police force from Ilorin have been deployed immediately. All residents are hereby directed to withdraw from the streets of Offa and Erinle and all contested areas immediately. Residents are to stay indoors until the curfew is reviewed,” Ajakaye wrote.
He added: “The Governor urges residents of both communities and travellers crisscrossing the areas to comply with this directive to save lives and property. He appeals to leaders on both sides to restrain and caution their people against provocative action, and to maintain peace. The security forces are urged to be very firm in dealing with the situation and in enforcing the curfew.”
