Dramatic Coffin Protest Rocks Akwa Ibom Community Amid Land Ownership Feud
Tension gripped Ikot Obong community in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, after members of the Udobong Royal Family took a drastic step in a long-running land dispute. In a shocking turn of events, the family deposited the coffin of their deceased relative, Stephen Jacob Iboro, at the residence of the village head, Eteidung Obong Gordon Etukeren. This dramatic protest followed a failed attempt to bury Iboro on land he allegedly owned, which the village head claims belongs to him instead.
Roots of the Conflict: A Family Feud Over Property
The late Stephen Jacob Iboro, a member of the Udobong Royal Family, was scheduled to be buried on his land after a funeral service conducted by Jehovah's Witnesses on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Ikot Obong Village Council Hall. However, the village head, Eteidung Obong Gordon Etukeren, opposed the burial, asserting that the property rightfully belonged to him. Community sources reveal that both the deceased and the village head share the same family lineage within the Udobong Royal Family, adding a layer of familial complexity to the dispute.
According to accounts, the late Iboro had no children, and the village head reportedly insisted that he should inherit the land and property following Iboro's death. This claim has been strongly rejected by other family members, who support burying Iboro on the land he occupied. The Chief Mourner, Mr. Oliver Isaac Obot, stated that Iboro purchased the land approximately thirteen years ago and constructed a house on it, where he resided until his passing. Family members presented documents purportedly proving Iboro's ownership, but the village head allegedly refused to acknowledge these claims.
Police Intervention and a Dramatic Twist
The escalating dispute was reported to the Nigeria Police Force headquarters at Ikot Akpan Abia, leading to a meeting attended by both parties and the state Commissioner of Police. During this meeting, the village head reportedly signed an agreement permitting the burial to proceed on the contested land. However, in a surprising development, the village head allegedly secured a court injunction on Friday, March 6, 2026, effectively halting the burial on the property. This move came after the family had already announced the funeral, printed programs, and invited guests, heightening tensions.
Despite the injunction, the funeral service proceeded as planned on Saturday. Following the service, family members carried Iboro's coffin to the palace of the village head, Eteidung Obong Gordon Etukeren, and placed it there in protest over the unresolved land dispute. At the time of reporting, the coffin remained at the palace, symbolizing the ongoing conflict and the family's defiance.
Community Impact and Broader Implications
This incident has sparked significant unrest in Ikot Obong community, highlighting deep-seated issues related to land ownership, inheritance, and local governance. The use of a coffin as a protest tool underscores the emotional intensity and desperation felt by the family. It raises questions about:
- The effectiveness of traditional and legal resolutions in such disputes.
- The role of village heads in property matters within family lineages.
- The potential for similar conflicts in other communities across Nigeria.
As the situation unfolds, residents await further actions from authorities to mediate and resolve this contentious issue, hoping to restore peace and prevent further escalation in the community.
