Events that have played out between the Akwa Ibom State Government and Ekid Nation in respect of the Stubbs Creek (Akoiyak Ekid) Forest Reserve in recent times have attracted the attention of a socio-cultural and economic organisation in the state, Uku Ndito Ekid.
The group, which draws membership from Eket, Onna and Esit Eket local government areas, observes with dismay what it terms as “unnecessary bickering” over an issue that could have been handled maturely.
A press release by Uku Ndito Ekid, endorsed by its national president, Obong Uku William Job, regrets the alleged breach of a federally mediated peace agreement by the government.
The Uku, in the release, noted that the said truce over Akoiyak Ekid (Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve) was thrown overboard with the arrest of a prominent Ekid activist, Princess God’sown Udoito, by Akwa Ibom State Police Command on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. It wondered about the reason for the arrest when there was an ongoing high-level discussion to resolve the misunderstanding.
The organisation referred to the police statement on the arrest and prosecution of Princess God’sown Udoito, stating that the charges against the activist arose from a petition dated 10th January, 2026, without naming the petitioner.
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The release recalled that the intervention of high-powered dignitaries led to a meeting between leaders of Ekid and Akwa Ibom State Government, where all parties were said to have agreed to cease hostilities, intimidation and arrest, while dialogue would continue.
Uku Ndito Ekid, therefore, calls for caution in the handling of the matter, noting that attempts to clamp down and silence Ekid’s voices may not lead to an amicable resolution of the already tense situation.
The organisation reiterates that the use of police force may escalate into crises, undermine the peace process and spiral into unimaginable confrontation, which could have been nipped in the bud if it had been properly handled.
The group concluded by calling on indigenes of the Ekid nation to remain peaceful and law-abiding, while calling on the state government to follow the path of peaceful resolution by taking into consideration the culture, history and legal inheritance rights of the Ekid nation to Akoiyak Ekid (Stubbs Creek Reserve forest)
