Residents of Okoyong community in Cross River State have urgently called on security agencies to intervene in what they describe as a flawed and contentious compensation process for the landmark Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway Project.
Petition Highlights Grievances and Alleged Irregularities
In a formal petition dated January 5, 2026, the Association of Concerned Indigenes of Okoyong Community appealed to the State Security Service (SSS), the Cross River State Police Command, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The group, led by its president, Christ Ambassador Effiong Ekpo Ekpo, seeks a comprehensive review of the compensation exercise, which it claims has sown seeds of discord and dissatisfaction among landowners.
The petition details that the highway project, executed by Hi-Tech Construction Company, traverses 13 villages within the Okoyong area in Odukpani Local Government. Affected locations include Obot Ekpo, Kaifa, Oboroko, and Esuk Ekom I and II. The acquisition has impacted vital community assets, including farmlands, economic trees, and ancestral lands.
Core Allegations: Omissions, Intimidation, and List Alterations
The community's primary contention is that the compensation process has been compromised. They allege that some legitimate landowners have been deliberately omitted from the beneficiary list, while individuals with no verifiable ownership claims to the affected lands have been included. "These developments have created dissatisfaction and uncertainty within the community," the petition states.
Further serious allegations include incidents of intimidation and undue pressure exerted on some community members during the process. The association has urged security agencies to investigate these claims to safeguard residents and ensure the integrity of the entire exercise.
Additional concerns were raised about alleged alterations to official beneficiary lists in parts of the community. The petition also highlights activities linked to sand extraction along local waterways, calling for a review to ensure compliance with guidelines and respect for local land rights.
Appeal for Urgent Action to Avert Crisis
The group warned that leaving these grievances unresolved could significantly heighten tensions in Okoyong. They stressed the need for prompt intervention to maintain peace and public confidence in the government's infrastructure projects.
To resolve the impasse, the association made several clear demands:
- An independent review of the compensation register.
- Clear clarification on the criteria for beneficiary selection.
- Transparent and open engagement with all affected landowners.
The community expressed its commitment to a peaceful resolution and readiness to cooperate with authorities by providing necessary information. Copies of the petition were sent to the Cross River State Government, the Federal Ministry of Works, Hi-Tech Construction Company, and other relevant stakeholders.
