The entire indigenes of Offa in North America, United States, have condemned the recent bloody conflict between Offa and Erin-Ile communities in Kwara State, saying it could have been avoided, if the concerned stakeholders had paid adequate attention to the warning signs, which preceded the mayhem.

Although a statement by Rasaq Addulwaheed on behalf of the group praised Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for his swift response to bring the matter under control, the group insisted that one of the ways of ensuring lasting peace “is to put all indicted persons in the conflict on a speedy trial.”

The group declared: “We acknowledge that the primary role of the government is to promote and maintain peace in the communities. We hope that the present effort by the government to resolve this problem will be fruitful. One indicator of a successful outcome is for all those indicted to be brought to a speedy trial. We are aware of a past Commission of Enquiry, set up to investigate and recommend solutions to past clashes between the two.

“However, for this renewed effort to be different from that of the past, justice must not only be served but must be seen to be served. Anyone found to be involved in the planning and execution of the havoc must face the full force of the law. For peace to rein in our land, people must recognize that killing the innocent and decapitating bodies cannot bring peace, prosperity and progress to any community, and that any barbaric act will not be tolerated.

“We encourage peace loving people in Offa and Erin-Ile communities to speak out and prevail on those who prefer violence to peaceful means for resolving problems and grievances. Those who promote war over peace would likely be consumed by the war and as it is with any war, there are always collateral damages and unintended consequences. Nobody can tell how a war will end.”

The group also regretted what it described as the destruction of lives and propery, saying: “we sympathise with the families of the victims in the recent crisis and pray that God will give them the fortitude to bear their losses.”