Cross River Government Orders Warring Ikom and Obubra Communities to Vacate Disputed Land in Sweeping Peace Initiative

In a decisive move to quell long-standing hostilities, the Cross River State Government has directed the feuding communities of Ekukunela and Alesi in Ikom Local Government Area, along with their Odonget, Ochon, and Isabang neighbours in Obubra Local Government Area, to immediately vacate the disputed land that has fuelled years of tension and violent clashes.

The directive forms a core element of a five-point action plan unveiled during a high-level peace and security meeting held on Monday in Calabar, the state capital. The meeting, convened by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, brought together community leaders, traditional rulers, youth representatives, security agencies, and critical stakeholders from the affected local government areas.

Comprehensive Peace Framework
Under the new framework, community leaders and representatives from both Ikom and Obubra have been instructed to submit all relevant land ownership documents, historical records, and settlement agreements to the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh. The SSG, who also chairs the newly inaugurated eight-man Peace Committee, will coordinate efforts to identify the root causes of the conflict and develop a sustainable resolution strategy.

The Peace Committee has been mandated not only to investigate the decades-old dispute but also to recommend immediate palliative measures for those displaced by the violence. It is expected to submit its full report to the government within two weeks. A follow-up meeting to review progress, scheduled for Wednesday, 13 August 2025, will assess compliance with the directives and address any emerging challenges.

Firm Warning Against Defiance
Deputy Governor Odey underscored the Otu-led administration’s zero-tolerance policy for violence, warning that any breach of the new directives would attract stiff penalties.
“The administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu is committed to peace, justice, and development. We will not condone further acts of violence or defiance. Any failure by local government chairmen to enforce these resolutions will result in immediate suspension from office,” he declared.

He urged all parties to embrace dialogue as the only viable path to lasting peace, assuring that the state government would safeguard the rights and livelihoods of all law-abiding citizens.

Crisis Impact and Stakeholder Reactions
The conflict, which has simmered for decades, recently escalated into a series of violent confrontations, resulting in the destruction of property, displacement of hundreds of residents, and disruption of farming activities—the economic lifeline for the communities.

Stakeholders at the Calabar meeting lauded the government’s proactive stance, describing it as a long-overdue intervention that could finally break the cycle of violence. Traditional rulers pledged to work closely with the Peace Committee, while youth leaders promised to sensitize their communities on the importance of compliance and cooperation.

As the August 13 review date approaches, all eyes are on whether the renewed political will, combined with grassroots cooperation, will end one of Cross River’s most stubborn inter-communal disputes.

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