By Magnus Effiong
Five persons were feared dead in Iko Esai community of Akamkpa local government area of Cross River state with many houses, vehicles, household items amongst other things set ablaze when two warring youth factions engaged themselves in brutal violent confrontations.
While one of the factions is allegedly loyal to the village/clan head of the troubled community, Chief Obio Arong Owai, the other faction is loyal to Chief Elijah Okon Esira.
Unconfirmed reports say Chief Esira was crowned as new village head by the Paramount Ruler of Akamkpa local government area to replace Chief Owai who, Chief Esira’s faction said had been dethroned.
However, sources at the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs in Calabar said despite series of petition against Chief Owai, the State government had not withdrawn his certificate of recognition as village/clan head.
Speaking, the Chairman of the local government council, Hon Felix Akposi, during a press briefing, Friday, said the root cause of the mayhem was the struggle by the two factions of the Iko Esai traditional leadership to control the forest resources of the community.
According to him, he had, during an appearance before the State House of Assembly, recommended that the lawmakers should set up “a panel of inquiry to further investigate the matter and propose development solutions.”
Hon Akposi described the crisis as “logical culminations of years internecine wranglings, factional antagonism and ingrained culture of deception and distrust.”
A press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Agbor said “On February 9, 2025, the Chairman received an anonymous call warning of an impending breakdown of law and order which escalated the following day, 10th February 2025. A young man, Christian Abakum Iyenga, was shot dead, and properties, including the home of Chief Owai Obio, shops motorcycles and household items were set ablaze.
:The Chairman immediately deployed security personnel, assessed the damage and the body of master Abakum was deposited in the mortuary. He was also informed that the injured victims were receiving treatment in the neighbouring community.
“The two factional leaders, Chief Obio Arong and Chief Elijah Okom Esira, along with Igwe Oyama (Secretary to Elijah Okom Esira), were arrested and handed over to the police for impartial investigation.”
In an interaction, the member representing Akamkpa I State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Hon Okon Nyong Awuna, said the matter, which culminated in the destruction of lives and property on February 10, 2025, started since 2022, and that he had raised the matter on the floor of the Assembly.
“From my understanding, the crisis has its roots in the leasing of their forest to investors. This crisis, which started in 2022, pitched the youth leader against the village/clan head and this led to the killing of two persons. The matter went to court and was withdrawn for out of court settlement.”
Also speaking, Personal Assistant to the Deputy Leader of Akamkpa Legislative Council, Patrick Aidam, who resigned his appointment over the matter, said “Today, Iko Esai community is in ruins, people killed, houses burnt, vehicles and motorcycles, set ablaze, cocoa farms amongst other destroyed.
“Today, the clan head of Iko Esai, Chief Obio Arong Owai, a man whose elder sister and her daughter, Ma Titi Igwe Oyama and Bessie Igwe Oyama were gruesomely murdered in cold blood, is the man who has been in detention.”
