For families and communities
The settlement has restored confidence, unity and hope among communities that lived with conflict for generations. With peace, children can go to school and people can go to church and market without fear.
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Peace building and the Ikot Udo boundary dispute
A dispute between Ikot Udo in Ika and a neighbouring community in Abia State has been settled after about 58 years.
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I'm glad to share that Peace building and the Ikot Udo boundary dispute in Ika LGA is reaching people.
See who it reaches and the facts here: https://umoeno.cavilconsult.com/programmes/ika-peace-building-and-the-ikot-udo-boundary-dispute/
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Key figures
January 2026: the Deputy Governors of Akwa Ibom (Senator Akon Eyakenyi) and Abia (Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu) met Ikot Udo (Ika) and Akirika Obu (Ukwa East, Abia), who agreed to keep the peace and allow road work to proceedPeace truce
Each state builds from its own side to the disputed point; Akwa Ibom awarded a 3.7km Urua Inyang to Ikot Udo road, Abia a 12km roadRoad plan under the truce
Not settled by the truce; remains with the National Boundary CommissionBoundary line
About the programme
This record covers efforts to bring peace between Ikot Udo in Ika Local Government Area and Akirika Obu in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State. The two border communities have had a long-running boundary conflict that has cost lives and property over the years.
In January 2026, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, and the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, met with both communities. The Commander of 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Hassan Bello, the Ika Council Chairman, Hon. Utibe Nwoko, and the Ukwa East Council Chairman, Chief Chibunna Akara, also took part, along with traditional rulers. The communities agreed to a truce, to keep the peace and to let road work go on without any obstruction.
The truce is tied to a road plan. Each state is to build a road from its own side towards the disputed point, so that the two meet. Akwa Ibom State awarded a 3.7km road from Urua Inyang, the Ika council headquarters, to Ikot Udo. Abia State awarded a 12km road on its own side.
The truce does not fix the boundary line itself. That remains a matter for the National Boundary Commission. The agreement and the roads are meant to calm tension, open up trade between the two sides and let people move and farm in safety.
Who it reaches
- Residents of Ikot Udo
- Border communities in Ika
- Neighbouring communities in Abia State
- Pupils, traders and worshippers
- All residents of Ika
Impact on people and communities
For work and income
Peace is the base on which roads, schools and health centres can be built without disruption. Farmers and traders in the border area can work and travel more safely, which supports local trade.
Governor Umo Eno
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