Fresh tension has gripped Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State following reports of renewed violence linked to the long-standing Ugep–Idomi communal dispute, with two persons now confirmed dead in an incident that has sparked widespread concern across social media and among residents.
Throughout Monday, June 8, 2026, social media platforms in Cross River State were awash with alarming claims under the trending phrase, "Ugep is Bleeding," alleging that two Ugep farmers had been killed by suspected Idomi warriors while working on their farms.
While the online reports fueled anxiety and heightened fears of another communal crisis, the Cross River State Police Command has released details of the incident and outlined measures being taken to prevent further escalation.
According to police sources, at about 10:20 a.m., one Charles Omini Iyam, 28, reported the killing of his father, Mr. Omini Iyam Ebri, 56, who was allegedly shot in the face while working on his farm along Ekpenti Farm Road, off the Idomi–Ugep Road.
Police further disclosed that a second victim, Mr. Ubi Ofem Ubi, 58, who was reportedly with the deceased at the time of the attack, sustained a gunshot wound to his left leg. He was rushed to the General Hospital in Ugep for treatment but later died from his injuries.
The body of Omini Iyam Ebri has been deposited at the hospital mortuary, while authorities confirmed that the second victim also succumbed while receiving medical attention.
Security sources noted that the killings have significantly heightened tensions between the neighbouring communities, raising fears of possible reprisal attacks and renewed communal unrest.
In response, police operatives, working alongside personnel of the Village Crime Reduction Unit (VCRU), have been deployed to the affected area to maintain law and order, reassure residents, and prevent any further breakdown of peace.
The police said efforts are ongoing to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible for the attack.
A Conflict Rooted in Boundary Disputes
The latest incident comes barely weeks after the Cross River State Government intervened in renewed tensions between the two communities over a lingering boundary dispute that has periodically triggered clashes and loss of lives.
On May 4, 2026, the state government convened a high-level peace meeting at Government House, Calabar, presided over by Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State Boundary Committee, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey. The meeting brought together traditional rulers, community representatives, security officials, the Surveyor-General, and the Chairman of Yakurr Local Government Area.
Following the meeting, government announced plans for a physical boundary demarcation exercise to be conducted by the Surveyor-General alongside security officials and representatives of both communities. Each community was directed to nominate five chiefs to participate in the exercise, while all relevant documents supporting boundary claims were to be submitted before the demarcation process.
The state government stressed that the exercise was intended to provide a fair, transparent, and lasting resolution to the dispute while preserving peace and development in the area.
Curfew and Peace Efforts
As tensions escalated in early May, Governor Bassey Otu's administration imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on both Ugep and Idomi communities to prevent violence and restore order. Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, were directed to enforce the restriction while ensuring normal movement along the Ugep–Ikom Highway.
The curfew was later extended following security assessments and reports of continued tensions within the communities. Authorities warned that individuals engaging in actions capable of inflaming the crisis would face sanctions.
In a further effort to restore peace, leaders and stakeholders from both communities signed a peace agreement in May during a reconciliation meeting facilitated by the Yakurr Local Government Council. The agreement was aimed at ending hostilities and strengthening peaceful coexistence between the neighbouring communities.
Community groups, including the Yakurr Peoples Club, had also urged residents to embrace dialogue and uphold the Ekori Peace Accord of 2017, warning against any return to violence among Yakurr communities.
Renewed Concerns
The latest killings have raised concerns that gains made through recent peace initiatives may be under threat if urgent steps are not taken to calm tensions and ensure justice.
As security agencies intensify efforts to maintain order, residents are hoping that ongoing government interventions, including the planned boundary demarcation exercise, will provide a lasting solution to one of Yakurr's most persistent communal disputes.
At the time of filing this report, security operatives remained on ground in the affected area, while community leaders and residents were being urged to remain calm and refrain from actions that could escalate the situation further.
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