PETITION AGAINST THE HIJACKING OF COMPENSATION FOR THE LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY PROJECT BY STRANGER ELEMENTS AND ASSOCIATED THREATS TO PEACE AND SECURITY IN OKOYONG COMMUNITY, ODUKPANI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, CROSS RIVER STATE
5th January, 2026
The Director, State Security Service (SSS), Cross River State Command, Calabar.
The Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Police Command, Calabar.
The Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Cross River State Command, Calabar.
The State Security Adviser, Cross River State Government, Calabar.
The State Security Adviser (South), Cross River State Government, Calabar.
The State Coordinator, Partners for Peace in the Niger Delta (P4P), Cross River State Chapter, Calabar.
Dear Sirs/Madams,
SUBJECT: URGENT CALL FOR INTERVENTION TO ADDRESS THE INFILTRATION OF STRANGER ELEMENTS INTO THE COMPENSATION LIST FOR THE LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY PROJECT, INTIMIDATION OF INDIGENOUS LANDOWNERS, AND IMMINENT THREAT TO PEACE IN OKOYONG COMMUNITY
I, the undersigned, on behalf of the Association of Concerned Indigenes of Okoyong Community, write this petition to draw your urgent attention to a grave and escalating situation in the Okoyong axis of Odukpani Local Government Area, Cross River State, arising from the implementation of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project.
The project affects thirteen (13) Okoyong villages, namely:
Obot Ekpo, Ekemkpon, Atan Akani Obio, Atan Okoyong, Ekong Atan Oku, Kaifa, Nduoduo, Nkita, Usung Nkita, Oboroko, Esuk Ekom I, Esuk Ekom II, and Ubambat/Inua Akpa Okoyong.
I seek your immediate intervention to forestall a potential breakdown of law and order, as current developments pose serious threats to peace, security, and the rights of indigenous landowners.
Background and Grievances:
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project, executed by Hi-Tech Construction Company under federal oversight, has resulted in the acquisition of farmlands, economic trees, and ancestral lands belonging to indigenous families in Okoyong Community. Compensation was intended to mitigate these losses. However, the enumeration and compensation process has been grossly compromised.
Key Issues
1. Insertion of Stranger Elements into the Compensation Register:
Hundreds of legitimate indigenous landowners, whose families have occupied these lands for generations, have been removed from the compensation register and replaced with non-indigenous individuals with no ancestral ties to Okoyong land. Some of these individuals are political appointees and associates allegedly aided by compromised traditional and political structures.
For instance, Mr. Emmanuel Essien, a government appointee, reportedly received 7 million at Kaifa Village and also collected compensation at Oboroko, though the exact amount there is yet to be confirmed.
2. Intimidation, Threats, and Abuse of Authority: There have been
alarming incidents of intimidation directed at indigenous landowners. Most notably, Mr. Edet Okon Ekpo (popularly known as CY), a political appointee, threatened Mrs. Blessed Mother Blessing Effiong Ekpo during her visit to the Odukpani Local Government Secretariat to collect her lawful compensation. He reportedly stated:
“I will beat you up, nothing will happen; your husband cannot do anything, if he tries me, I can hide him.”
This threat was allegedly made in the presence of officials of Odukpani Local Government Area, raising serious concerns about abuse of power and the safety of community members.
3. Manipulation of Beneficiary Lists in Esuk Ekom I & II: Serious allegations have been raised against HRH Obon Ita Okon, Clan Head Elect of Akamkpa Clan, who is alleged to have collaborated with the Community Liaison Officer (CLO) to remove the names of original landowners in Esuk Ekom I and II, replacing them with the names of his children and driver. He is not originally from Esuk Ekom, yet multiple beneficiaries linked to him were reportedly captured and paid in that axis, to the exclusion of rightful owners.
4. Unauthorized Activities by the Construction Company: Hi-Tech
Construction Company is alleged to have opened a new access road outside the approved 100-metre corridor to extract sand from the Esuk Ekom village river without the consent of the Eyo Ekpo Family, the rightful landowners.
5. Compromised Traditional and Political Institutions: Some
traditional rulers and political appointees have allegedly facilitated these irregularities, exploiting the vulnerabilities of rural farmers while asserting that “the land belongs to the state,” contrary to established land ownership norms.
Imminent Security Threat
The continued marginalization of rightful landowners has created deep frustration and tension within the community. If not urgently addressed, this situation risks degenerating into serious conflict. The community seeks justice, not confrontation, but the current trajectory poses a clear threat to peace and security.
Requests for Urgent Action
We respectfully request:
An independent audit of the compensation register
Immediate removal of all non-indigenous beneficiaries
Restoration of original landowners
Investigation into threats, intimidation, and collusion
Deployment of neutral security oversight to prevent escalation
Conclusion
I remain committed to a peaceful resolution and are prepared to provide documentary evidence and witness statements. We urge your offices to act swiftly to avert a crisis and restore confidence in the rule of law.
Yours faithfully
Christ Ambassador Effiong Ekpo Ekpo
President, Association of Concerned Indigenes of Okoyong Community Vice Chairman, Eyo Ekpo Family
Chairman, Lands Committee, Eyo Ekpo Family
Contact: 0813 800 9852
Location: Okoyong Community, Odukpani LGA, Cross River State
CC:
Governor of Cross River State
Minister of Works, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing
Managing Director, Hi-Tech Construction Company
Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ)
Relevant Media Outlets
