The people of Etap-Ayip Kasuk II Qua Clan in Calabar Municipality have called for urgent intervention by the Cross River State government to address what they describe as a grave and rapidly escalating security threat. According to a petition signed by the clan head, Ntoe Ededem Okon Ayito III, the situation could degenerate into a full-scale communal conflict within the Calabar metropolis if not immediately addressed.
Petition Alleges Abuse of Office
The petition, marked KAS/EA/08/2026 and titled "Abuse of office by the Attorney General of Cross River in a manner that is leading to an imminent communal conflict within the state capital: Urgent request for intervention," criticizes the Attorney General’s treatment of the courts with ignominy. The clan head highlighted that the matters involved are pending determination by the State High Court.
Supreme Court Judgment Enforcement
Ntoe Ayito explained that pursuant to the enforcement of a Supreme Court judgment in appeal no. SC/CV/295/2021, the parties—Etap-Ayip Kasuk II Qua Clan and Ikot Ansa (Nkonib)—formally requested the Surveyor General of Cross River to execute the judgment. This was because the land in dispute had been surveyed by that office. The judgment was executed, and boundary pillars were established according to the Supreme Court’s covering plan no. CR/C.928. The Surveyor General, in the presence of representatives from both communities, conducted a physical delineation and establishment of boundaries, as captured in survey plan no. CR/C.928.
Restored Calm Threatened
The monarch noted that the lawful and professionally supervised exercise had restored calm and peace in the affected area. However, three months after the delineation, specifically on January 19, 2026, a certain Anthony Effiom, acting as Solicitor General in the Attorney General’s office, issued a document ordering the community to vacate the entire Etap-Ayip Kasuk village land along Jonathan bypass, claiming it belongs to Ikot Ansa.
Escalating Tensions
The situation became extremely volatile when, on April 23, 2026, people from Ikot Ansa brought caterpillars into Etap-Ayip land, threatening communal conflict. The state security officer intervened and arranged an interview, advising parties to await court decisions. However, the petitioner alleged that Francis Okon Effiom of Ikot Ansa, acting on instructions from the Attorney General, ignored pending court cases and allowed the caterpillar to proceed with its activities on the land.
Call for Action
Ntoe Ayito averred that the Attorney General’s actions constitute a flagrant disregard for the lawful boundary delineation by the Surveyor General and a serious threat to public peace and security. He stated that it represents a direct violation of the subsisting Supreme Court judgment. The royal father informed that the people of Etap-Ayip Kasuk village are under immense provocation but have demonstrated maximum restraint to avoid a breach of peace. He called on the Cross River government to deploy security personnel to the affected area, halt ongoing unlawful activities, and ensure the arrest and investigation of all persons involved in this abuse of office and unlawful aggression.
