Kwara restricts movement of traditional rulers

GOVERNOR Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara state has suspended salary of two traditional rulers involved in communal clash in Oke Ero local government area of the state for three months.

The governor, who said that the traditional rulers were being sanctioned for not acting to prevent the occurrence of the clash, added that the affected traditional rulers are the Alofa of Ilofa, Oba Samuel Dada and the Olota of Odo Owa, Oba Toba Adimula.

It is recalled that Ilofa and Odo Owa communities engaged in communal clash in May 2017 over superiority contest on the community that should first sell fresh yam in the common market in the area.

Speaking with journalists after the state executive council meeting in Ilorin on Wednesday, the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Haruna Muhammad, said that the decision formed part of the consideration of the White Paper on judicial commission of enquiry on Ilofa/Odo Owa communal clash.

The commissioner, who also said that the traditional rulers were restricted to their domain for the period, added that they would not travel outside their domain without permission of the chairman, transition implementation committee (TIC) of the local government area.

He also said that the rulers would not attend traditional council meeting, nor attend any official or government function until expiration of the period if punishment, adding that the rulers would forfeit the three months’ salary.

The state government has also said that the common central market in the two communities would henceforth be used by members of the general public only for purpose of commerce; buying and selling, and not for cultural or traditional activities.

Also speaking, the commissioner for Information, Mallam Tunde Ajeigbe, said that the state government had commenced prosecution of those identified to have been involved in the communal clash, adding that the state executive council had also directed the Secretary to the State Government SSG to write the state commissioner of Police to increase police presence in the two communities for purpose of maintaining peace and order.

He also said that the police boss had been directed to mop up illegal arms in the areas in order to prevent any occurrence of violence or repeat of the clash.

Meanwhile, the Senior special adviser to the governor on Media and Communication, Dr Muideen Akorede, announced appointment of new Head of Service in the state, Mrs Susan Dupe Oluwole, to take over from the retired former HOS, Hajia Sarah Omar.