By Steve Oni, Ilorin.
The Kwara state government has restricted the movement of two frontline traditional rulers in the state to their domains for three months
The monarchs will also forfeit three months salaries.
The affected traditional rulers are the Alofa of Ilofa, Oba Samuel Dada and the Olota of Odo Owa, Oba Toba Adimula whose communities recently engaged in violent clashes.
It would be recalled that Ilofa and Odo Owa communities had in May, 2017 engaged in renewed hostilities over superiority contest on the community that should first sell fresh yam in the common market in the area.
Announcing the punitive measures taken against Olota and Aloffa while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state Executive Council Meeting in Ilorii 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 added that the two monarchs would not travel outside their domains 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 meetings, nor attend any official or government programmes during the period.
Muhammad said that the traditional rulers were sanctioned for not doing what they ought to have done to circumvent the communal clash either by error of omission or commission.
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 will soon commence the 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 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.
The Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Communication, Dr. Muideen Akorede, also at the press briefing announced the appointment of a new Head of Service for the state.
The new HOS is Mrs. Susan Dupe Oluwole from Moro LGA in Kwara North. She will take over from the retired former HOS, Hajia Sarah Omar.
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