NBC Holds Ikot Essien Responsible For Stalled Abia-Akwa Ibom Boundary Talks

The National Boundary Commission (NBC) has blamed the Ikot Essien community in Akwa Ibom State for stalling efforts to resolve the boundary dispute between them and the Atan Abam community in Abia State.

According to the NBC, residents of Ikot Essien launched attacks on their Abia neighbours ahead of a scheduled boundary demarcation exercise, leading to tensions in the area and suspension of the fieldwork

In a letter dated July 28, 2025, and addressed to the Deputy Governor of Abia State and Chairman of the Abia State Boundary Committee, Ikechukwu Emetu, the Commission’s Director General, Surveyor Adamu A. Adaji, condemned the attacks and described them as a setback to the commission’s progress

“I write to acknowledge receipt of your letter on the above referred subject, dated 16th July, 2025. It is indeed disheartening to receive such report of violence on the Atan Abam community by the people of Ikot Essien

“The Commission frowns at this disturbing development, having achieved so much in the definition processes of the inter-state boundary. The field activities outlined for implementation from 21st July, to 25th August, 2025 has been stalled by this ugly development.

“The Commission has drawn the attention of Akwa Ibom State Government to this development and has appealed to the state government to wade into the matter so that peace can return to the troubled communities.

“Meanwhile the field exercises will be rescheduled and new date communicated to the States when security in the area is guaranteed. The Commission wishes to assure you that adequate measures will be taken to address all outstanding grey sectors of the boundary. In the mean, I appeal for continued restraint and peaceful coexistence by the border Communities pending the final definition of the boundaries,” read part of the letter dated July 28, 2025 with reference number NBC.SEC.4/S.1/VOL.VIII, titled ‘Re:Complaint Against Ikoyi Essien Community, Akwa Ibom State’.

Meanwhile, residents of Atan Abam have called for the state government’s intervention in the matter.

They lamented repeated attacks and casualties suffered over the years, adding that the disputed land has belonged to their community since its founding.

According to them, the conflict intensified after they cleared a section of forest for rice cultivation, an economic activity they say attracted the interest of their neighbours who later laid claims to the land rather than develop unoccupied areas within their own territory.

NBC Holds Ikot Essien Responsible For Stalled Abia-Akwa Ibom Boundary Talks is first published on The Whistler Newspaper