The Kwara State Government on Friday said it had relaxed the 24-hour curfew it imposed on Offa and Erin-Ile communities in Offa and Oyun council areas of the state. It said the move was to allow Muslims and Christians to observe their religious obligations between noon and 6 pm on Friday and 7 am to 2 pm on Sunday. The curfew was as a result of the latest clash between the two neighbouring communities. The Secretary to the Kwara State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, in a statement, added that the 24-hour curfew would operate outside these periods.

Three policemen have been killed in a gun battle between police officers and gunmen suspected to be members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect, at the police divisional headquarters in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.The gunmen also attacked two banks located very close to the police station, carting away undisclosed amount of money.
It was reported that there were about 20 police personnel on duty at the time of the attack, which left three of them and one of the attackers dead, and many others seriously injured.
The gunmen who were said to have attacked the police station around 12 midnight also reportedly released some suspects detained inside the cell at the police station.
So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olufemi Adenaike, who visited the scene of the attack in the company of the state governor, Mr. Muktar Ramalan Yero, told Channels Television correspondent in Kaduna that the gunmen who attacked the police facility were terrorists, given the kind of sophisticated weapons they used in the attack.
Explosive devices were also used to break into the banks’ halls by blowing open the electronic doors.
According to Mr. Adenaike, the gunmen numbering about 100 engaged the policemen on duty in a gun battle which led to the death of three of his men, adding that one of the gunmen also died and others escaped with bullet wounds.
On his part, Governor Yero, who was conducted round the police station condemned the attack and called on the residents to avail the police and other security agencies with useful information about criminals in their area.
Birnin Gwari over the years has been notorious for armed robbery and other criminal activities.
In October 2012, gunmen invaded the town killing some 20 worshippers leaving a mosque in an early morning attack in the town.
Cattle farmers in the area have lost over 7,000 cows to robbers in the last three months while motorists have not been spared in their operation
The latest attack has, therefore, increased the people’s fears and are calling on the state government and security agencies to come to their rescue.

The Police Commissioner identified the terrain of the town as a major setback in the fight against criminals.