EKET
The Ekid People’s Union (EPU), the apex socio-cultural body of the Ekid nation, has restated its historical claim of ownership over the vast Akoiyak farmlands and fishing swamps, urging truth and fairness in ongoing conversations around land matters in the coastal region of Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by ACP Ahiwa A. Ribadu, the Area Commander of Eket Area Command, the Union, through its national president, Dr Samuel Udonsak, highlighted its long-standing historical and legal ties to the disputed lands, tracing ownership to the landmark 1918 Privy Council judgment, which affirmed Ekid people’s rights from the mouth of the Qua Iboe River to Child Point (Okposo).
“We are part of the Aboriginal Coastal local government areas, and per the 1918 Privy Council Judgement, we own the Land and Swamps from the Mouth of the Qua Iboe River to Child Point (Okposo), 1918 – 111 NLG, Page 10 – 15,” Udonsak emphasized.
According to the EPU, the Akoiyak lands, also called Okoiyak depending on dialect, are well-documented in several colonial and scholarly works, including Life in Southern Nigeria by Dr. P.A. Talbot, Qua Ibo Mission: 1887 – 1945 by Dr. R. Graham, and writings by British historians such as M’Keown and Major A.G. Leonard. EPU noted that even Ibeno elites like Chief David Ekong, a former President of the Ibeno Native Court, had acknowledged the Ekid people’s ownership of the area.
“For anyone to now claim that Akoiyak is a fabrication of Eket land grabbers is not only false but a display of grand deceit and deliberate distortion of history,” the Union stated.
While reiterating its readiness to protect its heritage and ancestral inheritance, the Union emphasized its commitment to peace, harmony, and cooperation with neighbouring communities, but swore that no inch of Ekid Land will be surrendered to Land grabbers, not even through proxies of the State Government.
Turning attention to security, EPU commended the Nigerian Police Force for its dedication to maintaining law and order in Eket, noting that the tireless efforts of the police have contributed greatly to the relative peace in the area, and pledged continuous support for the police in ensuring the safety of lives and property.
“We will continue to encourage, support, and work with the police to protect our people and foster peaceful coexistence with our neighbours,” the statement added.
Responding, the Area Commander, ACP Aliwa A. Ribadu, enumerated efforts exerted by the police at maintaining peace in the area, assuring that he wants to work with the people.
He, however, appealed to the people to give timely information to the police, while pledging that the identity of informants will be protected.
Warning of the prowling of fraudsters and criminal activities currently experienced in some cities in Nigeria, the police officer said, “There is a new scam in town where juicy vacancies are posted on the streets; applicants are then lured and taken-in for organ harvesting”, urging residents to beware.
The entire Ekid nation, warmly welcomed ACP Ahiwa Ribadu to Eket, assuring him of partnership in the task of ensuring security in the area.
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