Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed yesterday directed the traditional rulers of Offa and Erin-Ile in Offa and Oyun Local Government Areas of the state to maintain peaceful coexistence in their communities.

He also urged the people of the two communities to embrace peace by halting the violence in the towns.

The government had on Tuesday imposed a 24-hour curfew on the warring communities to restore normalcy.

Ahmed, who described the killing of innocent citizens and destruction of property between the two hitherto friendly neighbours as “cruel and barbaric”, called for immediate cessation of hostilities.

The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, promised to bring the perpetrators of the crisis to justice as “government will not condone any act of lawlessness from any individual or community”.

The statement said, “It is by sheer providence that Offa and Erin-Ile found each other as neighbours. Both communities must, therefore, show gratitude to God by living together in harmony. Efforts of the state government to bring development to the state may continue to be a mirage in an atmosphere of violence and destruction. Government will continue to take every positive step to attract investment to the state, create more  jobs and promote youth entrepreneurship through adequate support for skill acquisition”.

The governor called for cooperation from all Kwarans to deliver the benefits of democracy by maintaining peace.