By Assam Abia | The Evangelist News
The Ekid People’s Union (EPU) has issued a scathing petition against the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Captain Iniobong Ekong (Rtd), accusing him of orchestrating land-related actions that threaten to ignite fresh communal conflict between the people of Eket and Ibeno.
In a strongly worded letter jointly signed by EPU President General, Dr. Samuel Udonsak, and Secretary General, Hon. (Barr) Bassey Dan-Abia, the Union alleged that the Commissioner facilitated the acquisition of about 30,000 hectares of Ekid ancestral land in favour of Tulcan Energy Company without due notice, consultation, or compensation to the indigenous landowners.
The petition, which was also copied to relevant security agencies, condemned the process as a gross violation of constitutional and statutory rights.
“Without statutory notice or consultation, your office has facilitated the acquisition of approximately 30,000 hectares of Ekid ancestral land for the benefit of Tulcan Energy Company. This action, conducted without due notification to the landowners or opportunity for them to file claims, constitutes a serious violation of their constitutional rights,” the petition stated.
According to eyewitness accounts, Tulcan Energy has, for over six months, been executing a pipeline and facility project within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve—an area judicially recognized as Ekid land based on the landmark 1918 case Ntiaro and Ikpak v Ibok Etukakpan and Edoho.
The EPU expressed deep concern over what it described as “deliberate disregard for the rights of the Ekid people” and accused the Commissioner’s office of attempting to manipulate land records and suppress the community’s legitimate claims.
“We are further disturbed by credible reports indicating that your office has, in concert with partners from Ibeno, orchestrated false compensation claims over Ekid land. This is a dangerous attempt to incite inter-communal crisis between Ekid and Ibeno,” the EPU warned.
The group noted that the disputed land falls clearly within Eket and Esit Eket Local Government Areas as per the Akwa Ibom State Map (Establishment) Law of 2023 and cautioned against any administrative overreach or distortion of boundaries for political or economic gain.
The Union described any compensation diverted to other communities as “unlawful, patently dishonest, and provocative,” warning that such actions risk destabilizing peace and security along the state’s Atlantic corridor.
EPU called on the Commissioner to immediately halt further acquisition activities on Ekid land, warning that continued suppression and manipulation by government agencies would erode public trust and invite anarchy.
The state government and Tulcan Energy are yet to respond publicly to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
