10 Feared Killed In Kwara’s Communal Clash

The renewed hostilities between the people of Offa and Erin-Ile communities in Kwara State, yesterday, reportedly claimed 10 lives.

But the state Police command said no life was lost in the communal clash.

The police spokesman in the state, DSP Femi Fabode, told newsmen in Ilorin that additional 40 anti-riot mobile policemen had been drafted to the troubled areas.

He said the leaders in the two communities have been told to appeal to their people on the need to embrace peace in order to forestall the spread of the violence.

It was gathered that the crisis broke out when a trader from Erin-Ile came to Offa to buy tyres and the vehicle he used in transporting the materials back to Erin-Ile hit another vehicle belonging to an indigene of Offa.

An unconfirmed report claimed that no fewer than 10 lives were lost while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in the clash.

It was also gathered that security operatives from the Kwara State Police Command had been drafted to the area to restore law and order.

The state government, in its reaction to the development, advised individuals and groups with grievances to utilise lawful channels for dispute resolution rather than taking the law into their hands.