Eti-Eka brings communities, traditional rulers and security agencies together in Esobendeghe amid renewed concerns over communal tensions
Golden Page News 10|22|2026
BOJE, BOKI LGA, CROSS RIVER STATE — 22 October 2026 — The Executive Chairman of Boki Local Government Area, Hon. (Mrs.) Beatrice Etta Nyiam, popularly known as Eti-Eka, has made an emotional appeal for peace, kneeling before community stakeholders as she called for an end to violence and renewed efforts to restore stability across affected communities.
The Chairman made the appeal during an Emergency Security Peace Talk at Alike, Esobendeghe, convened to address persistent security concerns and communal tensions, particularly those involving Boje and Isobendeghe.
The meeting brought together representatives of affected communities, traditional rulers, security agencies, youth and women leaders, and other stakeholders to discuss the causes of the tensions and explore peaceful and sustainable solutions.
The intervention comes amid continuing concerns over insecurity, displacement and strained relations among communities in parts of Boki.
Security Agencies Join Peace Talks
The meeting attracted representatives from several security and government institutions, reflecting the seriousness with which the local administration is approaching the situation.
Those represented included Major E. E. Eyo, representing the Commanding Officer of Edor Barracks; Mr. Garba Alechenu, Officer-in-Charge of the Department of State Services (DSS), Boki; Mr. Joe Osibu, Commissioner, Forest Ranger, NFSS Zone 9; CSP Using E. Usin, DPO, Okundi; CSP SC Inaku Catherine, Divisional Officer, NSCDC, Okundi; CSP Nyiam Michael A., DPO, Bateriko; and Mr. Ncha Patrick Ali of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Boki.
The traditional institution was represented by the Clan Head of Esobendeghe, HRH Otushua J. D. Ogar, who led the Traditional Ruling Council.
Also present were Sir Timothy Nyiam, Community Development Chairman, alongside youth, women and other community representatives.
Their participation provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss security concerns directly and consider possible responses involving both law enforcement and community-based conflict resolution.
Chairman Kneels for Peace
The most emotional moment of the meeting came when Chairman Beatrice Etta Nyiam went down on her knees and appealed directly to the people to choose peace.
Speaking with visible emotion, the Chairman urged the communities to consider the human cost of continued conflict and to allow dialogue, understanding and peaceful coexistence to prevail.
She appealed to the people to remember the relationships that previously existed among neighbouring communities and to restore values of brotherhood, mutual respect and communal solidarity.
Her gesture was presented as a deeply personal appeal from a leader concerned about the lives and future of the people she serves.
The Chairman stressed that development cannot thrive where communities live under persistent fear or hostility.
She linked peace directly to the ability of residents to pursue their livelihoods, educate their children, conduct economic activities and build secure communities.
Participants also observed a minute of silence in honour of those who have lost their lives in communal crises, reflecting on the human consequences of violence and the need to prevent further deaths.
Illegal Drug Use Also on the Agenda
Beyond the immediate communal tensions, the meeting addressed concerns surrounding the illegal use of drugs and its potential implications for public safety and youth welfare.
The local administration emphasised the need for a broader approach involving parents, traditional institutions, youth organisations, community leaders and security agencies.
The objective is not only to respond to criminal activity when it occurs, but also to address factors that can contribute to violence, insecurity and social instability.
The meeting stressed that sustainable peace requires more than security operations.
It also depends on credible dialogue, responsible community leadership, lawful dispute resolution, communication and early intervention when tensions begin to escalate.
Boje–Isobendeghe Tensions Require Dialogue
The ongoing tensions between Boje and Isobendeghe remain an important concern for stakeholders.
The peace initiative encouraged parties to pursue disagreements, including any boundary or land-related claims, through recognised legal, administrative and traditional mechanisms rather than violence or reprisals.
Stakeholders were also urged to avoid inflammatory statements and the circulation of unverified information that could further deepen mistrust between communities.
A Collective Responsibility
The Boki Local Government administration called on residents of Esobendeghe, Boje, Isobendeghe and neighbouring communities to exercise restraint and cooperate with security agencies.
Traditional rulers, political leaders, youth and women organisations and other community stakeholders were encouraged to continue the dialogue beyond the emergency meeting and ensure that the message of peace reaches residents at the grassroots.
Security agencies were similarly encouraged to maintain professional engagement with communities while working within their legal mandates to protect lives and property and prevent further violence.
Peace Before Development
The Chairman’s decision to kneel during the meeting has emerged as the defining image of the peace initiative — a symbolic appeal reflecting the urgency of the situation facing parts of Boki.
For communities affected by conflict, the stakes extend beyond politics or territorial disagreements. Prolonged insecurity can disrupt education, farming, trade, family life and community development.
The message from the peace meeting was therefore straightforward: peace must come first if Boki is to achieve sustainable development.
The challenge now is to transform the emotional appeal into sustained action — through continued dialogue, lawful conflict resolution, community cooperation and effective protection of residents.
For Boki, the emergency peace meeting represents an opportunity for stakeholders to move from confrontation towards communication and from fear towards rebuilding trust.
The responsibility, however, does not rest with government alone.
Traditional institutions, security agencies, community leaders, young people, women, families and residents all have a role to play in ensuring that peace becomes more than an appeal — and becomes a shared commitment across Boki.
Golden Page News | Cross River State
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