Cross River Government Convenes Peace Meeting To Address Communal Crisis In Ikom, Obubra LGAs

By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent

The Cross River State Government has convened a peace security meeting to address the inter communal crisis between the Ekukunela-Alesi communities in Ikom Local Government Area and the Odonget/Ochon/Isabang communities in Obubra Local Government Area.

The meeting was convened by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, with leaders and critical stakeholders from the affected communities on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the Deputy Governor’s Conference room, Calabar.

According to the press secretary to the Deputy Governor, Fred Abua, Esq. the meeting was resolved with immediate suspension of activities on land disputes, noting that all residents of the affected communities will be directed to cease every form of activity on the disputed land until a proper boundary demarcation is carried out.

Community leaders and representatives from both Ikom and Obubra LGAs are to submit all relevant documents pertaining to the crisis to the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, who also chairs the Peace Committee on or before 12 noon, Monday, August 1, 2025.

For the constitution and inauguration of the peace committee, the state government has set up an 8-man committee tasked with identifying the root causes of the conflict and recommending a sustainable solution to the government.

Also, the committee for palliative measures for displaced persons is mandated to urgently brief the Deputy Governor on interim palliative measures for those affected by the crisis and is expected to submit its comprehensive report within two weeks.

Meanwhile, a follow-up review meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 13, 2025, to assess the level of compliance with the above resolutions, monitor the committee’s progress, and address any emerging issues.

The Deputy Governor calls on all parties to sheath their sword and embrace peace, noting that the Governor Bassey Otu will not condone any further acts of violence or defiance of government directives.

He directed the Chairmen of the affected local government areas, as Chief Security Officers of their jurisdictions, to ensure full compliance with the resolutions, noting that failure to enforce these directives will attract immediate suspension from office.