Date: 2012-08-22

Kwara State Governor Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmad has warned Share and Tsaragi communities in Ifelodun and Edu Local Government Areas of the state not to encroach on the Kange buffer zone which has been gazetted as state government land.

Governor Ahmad who gave the warning after at a meeting with leaders of the two warring communities, also directed the state's security agencies to maintain law and order in the area.

"Anyone found violating this directive thereby stoking violence in the communities will henceforth face the full weight of the law", the governor warned.

"Anybody seeking to use portions of the land", the governor directed, "must obtain permission from the Kwara State Bureau of Land," he said and further implored the two communities to maintain peace especially as the case is before a competent court of jurisdiction.

"It is only an atmosphere of peace and harmony which the state is renowned for that can ensure socio-economic development of the communities."

While advising the leaders of the two communities not to allow intruders to spur them into breaching the peace in the area, the governor warned mischief makers to desist from inciting the communities against each other.

Meanwhile , the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, while briefing journalists after the meeting, said the governor expressed concern over the occasional feud between the two communities, adding that the white paper on the report of the committee which looked into the crisis remains sacrosanct.

Also speaking, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Kamaldeen Ajibade, explained that no member of the two communities can have access to the Kange buffer zone for farming or other activities without the permission of the Kwara State Bureau of Lands.

The Etsu Tsaragi, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi Kpotwa, who led the Tsaragi delegation and the Balogun of Share, Alhaji Olayinola Balogun, who represented the Olupaka of Share, assured Governor Ahmed that peace will prevail between the two communities.