By Egufe Yafugborhi
UYO, Akwa Ibom State — The Ekid community has raised concerns over the whereabouts of Princess God’sown Udoito, a leading female advocate for Ekid ownership of the disputed Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve (Akoiyak Ekid).
The Ekid Peoples Union (EPU) expressed its worry on Wednesday night after the police allegedly arrested Princess Udoito in Eket earlier the same day but later claimed not to have information about her location.
In a statement, Dr. Samuel Udonsak, National President of EPU, and Sir Bassey Dan-Abia, Secretary General, said the union was actively trying to establish contact with the activist.
The statement read in part:
“EPU can confirm that Princess Udoito, one of our members, was taken from Eket and arrested by the police on Wednesday, 14th January 2026. At this moment, neither the Union nor police authorities in Eket and Esit Eket have information on her whereabouts. We are doing everything possible to establish contact with her.”
The EPU emphasized Princess Udoito’s role in advocating for Ekid claims over the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, where ownership disputes have recently intensified. The union warned that her detention could signal a crackdown on their advocacy efforts and called on authorities to treat her with dignity, respect, and in accordance with the law, including charging her in court within 24 hours as required by the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
Earlier, on 9 January, both EPU leaders had been summoned by Commissioner of Police Baba Azare to appear before the State Intelligence Department (SID) over correspondence challenging the Akwa Ibom State Government’s dismissal of Ekid ownership claims to the reserve. Letters signed by ACP Essien P. Boniface, SID Commanding Officer, cited a “serious security report capable of causing breakdown of law and order” as the reason for the summons.
At the time of filing this report, the police had yet to respond to inquiries regarding Princess Udoito’s arrest or the outcome of the SID summons of EPU leaders.
The Ekid people have maintained their stance on exclusive ownership of the biodiversity-rich Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, which they describe as their “ancestral home,” in a longstanding dispute with neighboring Ibeno communities.
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