Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, has approved the suspension of the Chairmen of Offa and Oyun local government councils with immediate effect.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Isiaka Gold told Journalists on Monday in Ilorin that the order followed the outbreak of violence between Offa and Erin-Ile communities of the local governments.
Gold said at a news conference that the suspension would be for three months and also affects the councillors, vice charmen, the two councils secretaries and other political appointees.
He said that the chairmen, as chief security officers of their respective councils, had failed to maintain public order and protect the welfare of residents of the two communities.
Gold said:“There is a clear and present danger of the breakdown of law and order, security and public safety in Offa and Erin-Ile towns and the need to take action to prevent the deterioration of the situation.''
The SSG said that the action of the governor was in line with Kwara State Local Government (Amendment) Law No. 4, section 1, 2 (sub section 5, 6, 7 and 8) of 2006.
According to him, the governor has approved the appointment of Alhaji . Ishaq Abubakar and Alhaji G.B.O. Bello as Sole Administrators for Offa and Oyun local councils respectively.
He also said that a 10 member Judicial Commission of Enquiry under Justice Adeyinka Oyinloye, had been constituted to look into the communal crisis.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commission was mandated to identify the remote and immediate causes of the crises as well as determine the extent of damages recorded.
It was also to determine the number of lives lost, those behind the crisis and review previous reports by various committees on the crisis.
The commission, which was given six weeks to submit its report, was asked to make appropriate recommendations for the punishment and prosecution of culprits and compensations to victims.
Members of the commission include Mr AbdulAzeez Ibrahim, Alhaji. A. R. Shehu, a retired Head of Service and Mr Job Afolayan, a retired Permanent Secrtary.
Others are Mrs F. Lawal of the Ministry of Justice, Dr Jelili Animashaun of the University of Ilorin, Mr John Ojo, Lt. Col. A. H. Ahmed and Alhaji A. A. Yusuf, who will serve as secretary. (NAN)
