The Cross River State Government has announced plans to take over a disputed parcel of land between communities in Ikom and Obubra Local Government Areas of the state.
The disputed land involves the Alesi, Ekukunela and Agbaragba communities in Ikom LGA, and the Ochon, Isabang and Odonget communities in Obubra LGA. The crisis over ownership of the land escalated in 2025, leading to severe destruction of lives and property.
Deputy Governor Peter Odey disclosed the government’s decision in a statement issued on Friday by Mr. Linus Obogo, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bassey Otu.
Odey explained that the move followed weeks of deliberations by a government-appointed committee tasked with resolving the conflict.
“Our measures, after weeks of painstaking engagements led by the State Security Adviser, are designed to break the cycle of violence and restore harmony. These include deploying security operatives to enforce calm and vesting ownership rights of the disputed land in the state government. By this singular act, the root of contention is extinguished, transforming the territory into a protected heritage under state custody,” he said.
He stressed that peace, safety, and the collective wellbeing of citizens remain paramount, urging elders, youths, and community leaders to embrace reconciliation, cooperate with security agencies, and desist from hostilities.
According to him, lasting unity, progress, and stability in the state can only be achieved when communities coexist peacefully.
It will be recalled that the state government had earlier constituted an eight-member committee to investigate the crisis and ordered all parties to suspend activities on the disputed land pending resolution.
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