CALABAR, NIGERIA – Fresh tension has gripped Ugep community in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State following a renewed outbreak of violence linked to a lingering communal land dispute.
The latest clash comes barely weeks after an earlier confrontation reportedly claimed two lives, raising fresh concerns over the fragile peace efforts in the area.
According to community sources, elders from the Idiom community had previously intervened and brokered a peace agreement between the warring parties in a bid to restore calm and prevent further bloodshed. The peace move was widely applauded by residents who hoped it would bring lasting stability to the troubled communities.
However, the renewed violence, which erupted on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, has again thrown the area into uncertainty, suggesting that underlying issues surrounding the disputed land remain unresolved.
In response to the deteriorating security situation, the Cross River State Government announced a dusk-to-dawn curfew in and around Ugep and Idiom communities. The curfew, which runs daily from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. for an initial period of seven days, was confirmed in a press statement issued by the Office of the Commissioner for Information.
The statement, signed by the Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang, said the measure was aimed at preventing a total breakdown of law and order in the affected communities.
The government also directed the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to enforce strict compliance with the curfew while ensuring that vehicular movement along the Ugep–Ikom Highway remains unhindered.
Meanwhile, reports from within the community indicate that local authorities, including the town crier, have announced a temporary “no movement” order, urging residents to remain indoors pending further directives.
As of press time, there were no confirmed reports of casualties or the extent of damage caused by the latest violence. Nevertheless, fear and uncertainty continue to spread among residents as many call on community leaders and government authorities to intensify efforts toward a lasting resolution of the dispute.
Stakeholders across the area are expected to reconvene in the coming days in an effort to de-escalate tensions and restore peace to the affected communities.
