By Kelvin Obambon
The Biakpan Traditional Rulers Council and concerned citizens of Biakpan Community Biase local government area of Cross River State held a press briefing in Calabar on Tuesday October 14, 2025, to clarify the ongoing conflict with their Etono II brothers and appealed for urgent government action to restore peace.
Speaking on behalf of the Council, HRH Onun Obu Obu Enang, praised the swift intervention of Governor Bassey Edet Otu and the Biase Local Government Chairman, Edodi Eyong stating, “We pray for the Almighty God to empower him more with greater wisdom and resources to enable him continue to deliver on his mandate and equally bring to an end the festering crises between us and Etono II based on truth, fairness and justice.”
The Council reiterated its commitment to the peace accord signed between Biakpan and Etono II and expressed frustration over repeated provocations from Etono II. They detailed a history of coexistence and documented their communal land boundaries supported by official survey plans, challenging Etono II to produce legitimate evidence of contrary claims.
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Highlighting legal rulings, the Council recalled landmark court decisions affirming Biakpan’s communal ownership of the land occupied by Etono II. Referencing the Supreme Court judgment of 1996, they noted, “The land occupied by Etono II village is part of Biakpan communal land under the Headship of the Paramount Ruler of Biakpan.”
Enang also cited numerous violent incidents allegedly perpetrated by Etono II against Biakpan citizens, including the destruction of cultural sites and attacks resulting in deaths and injuries. He insisted that despite pleas and peace agreements, Etono II has repeatedly rejected court orders and peace deals, with their previous leader dismissing the Supreme Court judgment as “unenforceable, empty, and cosmetic.”
The Traditional Rulers Council condemned the recent burning of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star rebuilt church auditorium on October 5, 2025, describing it as a deliberate provocation occurring during the ongoing peace accord period.
Calling for decisive action, they appealed to the Cross River State Government, the Inspector-General of Police, the National Human Rights Commission, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Director of State Security Service to “Enforce the judicial judgments on the matter. Arrest and prosecute all perpetrators of violence, arson, and sabotage.”
They concluded by saying “Enough is enough. The time has come for the Nigerian State to prove that no one is above the law and no community is bigger than the State.”
