BREAKING: Two Killed, Houses Burnt As Chieftaincy Crisis Rocks Cross River Community

By Godwin Ajom

Information reaching our newsroom has it that an escalated chieftaincy crisis in Odot Uyi Community, Odukpani Local Government Area in Cross River South, has left two dead, houses burnt and a police post destroyed.

Police Sources on ground confirmed that on February 2, 2026 at about 4:50 PM, burning of houses and the murder of two persons had already taken place in the community.

The conflict is as a result of an alleged case of conspiracy, murder and arson arising from a chieftaincy dispute over the title of Village Head of Odot Uyi Community in the local Government Council.

The incident has already led to the murder of two persons and the burning of the Village Head’s house, where properties worth millions of naira are destroyed.

Tactical personnel of the Nigerian Police Force have been deployed to the warring community

During operation in the village and its surroundings, one Chief Ntia Okon Bassey, m the Village Head-elect of Odot Uyi, who was accused along with his team by villagers of fraudulent activities concerning village financial resources, was sighted and arrested.

Another fleeing suspect , one Chief Okon Nyong, has also been arrested. The clan head of the village is currently on the run, a police officer told CrossRiverWatch.

Sources have it that 30 year-old Edem Ekpo Nyong, 26 years old Ekpo Ekpo Nyong were allegedly murdered by one Okon Usanga – a factional head opposing the sitting Village Head. Okon was said to have been killed as well during the crisis. The deceased corpses have not been found at the time of this report.

Confirming the development, Police Spokesman for Cross River State Command, ASP Sunday Eitokpah Akata, confirmed that, “the unfortunate incident took place. Two suspects have been arrested while the other suspect, the Village Head is on the run.”

The PPRO said investigation is ongoing to ascertain the root cause of the crisis. He said those murdered were killed during the crisis, adding that at press time, “the entire community is deserted.”