The Cross River State Government has ordered the warring communities of Ekukunela/Alesi in Ikom Local Government Area and their Odonget/Ochon/Isabang neighbours in Obubra Local Government Area, to vacate the disputed land.
The initiative which was one of five points action plan by the government was unveiled during a high-level peace and security meeting on Monday in Calabar, the Cross River State capital/
The meeting convened by the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Peter Odey brought together community leaders, traditional rulers, youth representatives, and key stakeholders from both Ikom and Obubra LGAs.
As part of the peace initiative, community leaders and representatives from the affected LGAs have been instructed to submit all relevant documents related to the dispute to the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, who also serves as the chairman of the newly inaugurated Peace Committee.
Additionally, the State Government has constituted an eight-man Peace Committee with a clear mandate to identify the root causes of the conflict and recommend a sustainable resolution framework.
The committee has also been tasked with advising the Deputy Governor on immediate palliative measures for displaced persons who have borne the brunt of the crisis. The Peace Committee is expected to submit its full report within two weeks.
As part of the government’s monitoring mechanism, a follow-up meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 13, 2025, to assess compliance with the directives, evaluate the progress of the committee, and address any emerging challenges.
Speaking at the meeting, the Deputy Governor emphasized the Otu-led administration’s zero-tolerance stance on violence and lawlessness, warning that anyone found flouting government directives will face severe sanctions.
He said, “The administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu is committed to peace, justice, and development. We will not condone any further acts of violence or defiance.
Let it be clear: any failure by local government chairmen to enforce these resolutions will result in immediate suspension from office.”
He further appealed to all parties involved to embrace dialogue and peace, reiterating the government’s commitment to ensuring security, equity, and prosperity across the state.
The intervention comes as tensions had escalated in recent months, leading to displacement and loss of livelihoods in the affected communities. Stakeholders at the meeting applauded the government’s proactive approach and expressed optimism that the renewed commitment would bring an end to the decades-long crisis
