The Senator representing Abia Central, Austin Akobundu, has assured that Senate President Godswill Akpabio is taking steps to resolve the Ikwuano/Obot Akara border clashes, which have recently resulted in loss of life.

The latest violence occurred on Sunday, when gunmen from Isie-Kwen, Ikrokwum, and Abama communities in Obot Akara Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State allegedly killed an indigene of Ariam Usaka Community in Ikwuano LGA of Abia State over the long-standing Ndurukpe farmland dispute.

Senator Akobundu, who visited the bereaved family in Ariam, condemned the unwarranted killings and called for calm, assuring that the issue would be addressed amicably.

“When I was alerted by the Chairman of Ikwuano LGA about the ugly incident, I immediately informed Senate President Akpabio. Being a peace-loving leader, he swiftly set up a team to investigate and resolve the matter.”

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Akobundu also revealed that he had been in talks with Obi Aguocha (representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency) and Patrick Umoh (representing Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency), both of whom expressed their commitment to resolving the conflict.

“We have already made significant interventions to prevent further loss of life. Our collective effort will ensure a lasting resolution to this crisis that has persisted for decades.”

The 38-year-old victim, Otutubuike Innocent, was part of a search party formed by his community to locate another youth, Ebene Emele, who had been reportedly abducted by residents of the disputed land.

Innocent was shot dead by suspected gunmen from Akwa Ibom communities during the search operation.
The Mayor of Ikwuano LGA, Dr. Anthony Nwaubani, condemned the continuous attacks and destruction of farmlands by people from Obot Akara and Ini LGAs of Akwa Ibom.

He urged authorities to officially demarcate the boundary between both states, stressing that the dispute dates back over 100 years.

Similarly, the President General of Ariam Usaka Development Union, Chief Charles Ugboaja, accused the Akwa Ibom communities of violating traditional boundary agreements and encroaching on Nduruikpe farmland.

“The boundary is clear—it is naturally marked by a thick forest that has never been destroyed. We demand government intervention to properly demarcate the land.”

Ugboaja also called for the return of the abducted youth, or at least the release of his remains, while urging authorities to provide palliatives for affected farmers.

Traditional Rulers Urge Implementation of Previous Reports.
The monarch of Ikemba Autonomous Community and Chairman of Ariam Usaka Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze Joseph Obaji, called for the implementation of earlier Federal Government and Boundary Commission findings, which confirmed Ariam Usaka’s ownership of the disputed land.

“The findings clearly state that the boundary is beyond the army post when coming from Ikwuano and before the army post when coming from Ikot Ekpene.”