Cross River Extends Curfew In Ugep-Idomi Boundary Row

The Cross River State Government has extended the dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on the disputed boundary between Ugep and Idomi communities in Yakurr Local Government Area by one additional week, as efforts continue to resolve the lingering land dispute.

The extension was announced by the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, during a briefing with journalists in Calabar.

According to him, the curfew will now run from 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, to 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 29, 2026.

He said the decision was taken to allow the Surveyor General of the State and his technical team to conclude boundary demarcation work on the disputed land, while also maintaining peace and preventing a breakdown of law and order.

“The extension is to enable the Surveyor General of the State and his technical team to complete work on the boundary demarcation of the disputed land, while also sustaining peace and preventing a further breakdown of law and order,” Ekpang stated.

He directed security agencies to strictly enforce the curfew between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. daily, and urged residents of the affected communities to comply fully with the restriction.

Ekpang also called on residents to report any suspicious activity to security operatives, warning that defaulters would be arrested and prosecuted.

He further appealed to the Chairman of Yakurr Local Government Area, traditional rulers—including the Obol Lopon of Ugep and the Obol Lopon of Idomi—as well as other stakeholders, to support peace advocacy efforts and encourage calm during the demarcation exercise.

“The council chairman, traditional rulers and stakeholders should partner with security agencies to lead peace advocacy and ensure residents remain calm during this demarcation exercise,” he said.

He expressed regret over the prolonged communal tensions and reiterated the state government’s commitment to a peaceful and fair resolution of the dispute, stressing that priority remains the development and collective interest of Cross River State.