Residents of the Ukpah community in Cross River State, Nigeria, displaced by a communal conflict for approximately 20 years, are appealing to the state government for security guarantees to enable their safe return. The community members, who have been living as refugees in neighboring communities, cite persistent fears of renewed violence as the primary barrier to their repatriation.
The conflict, rooted in a land dispute with the neighboring Ukwa community in the Biase Local Government Area, erupted in the early 2000s. The violence led to significant loss of life and property, forcing the mass exodus of Ukpah residents. Despite occasional peace initiatives, the underlying tensions have remained largely unresolved.
Community leaders have formally petitioned the Cross River State Government and security agencies, requesting the deployment of a permanent security outpost in the area. They argue that without a visible and sustained security presence, any attempt at resettlement could reignite hostilities. The state government has acknowledged the petition but has not yet announced a concrete plan or timeline for addressing the security concerns.
The prolonged displacement has had severe socio-economic consequences, including the loss of ancestral farmlands and the disruption of education for generations of children. Humanitarian conditions for the displaced remain precarious, with limited access to essential services.
