A Cross River-based group, Ukelle-ka Calabar Forum, has debunked claims suggesting an agreement was reached to relocate Izzi indigenes, currently displaced in Ebonyi State, back to the Ukelle region of Cross River.
Former Cross River lawmaker and representative of Yala Constituency, Hon. Mom Olom, clarified the group’s position during a press briefing on Monday in Calabar. He described the reports circulating in some media outlets—including a federal-owned news platform and an FM station in Abakaliki—as “false and misleading.”
In a joint statement signed by Olom and community elder Isaac Okokon, the forum cautioned against spreading narratives that could stir up tension between the two border communities.
According to the statement, a peace meeting was indeed held on March 27, 2025, facilitated by the Cross River/Ebonyi Youth Peace Development Movement and chaired by Barr. Paschal Nwenyi. However, the purpose of the meeting was solely to promote dialogue and lasting peace between the Izzi and Ukelle people—not to discuss or finalize any resettlement agreement.
The group explained that the actual resolution from the meeting emphasized continued collaboration for peace, with a follow-up dialogue involving the Chairmen of Izzi (Ebonyi) and Yala (Cross River) LGAs scheduled for April 17, 2025, at Mfuma South Ukelle.
“The claim that an agreement was reached to send the Izzi IDPs back to Cross River is completely unfounded,” the statement read. “At no point was such a sensitive issue discussed, let alone agreed upon.”
The Ukelle-ka Calabar Forum also expressed concerns that such misinformation could damage the fragile peace-building process and urged media houses to verify facts before publication.
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