Akwa Ibom’s peace remains stable but fragile, council warns

The Akwa Ibom State Conflict Prevention Council has described peace in the state as “relatively stable but fragile”, warning that land and boundary disputes, chieftaincy tussles and youth-related tensions continue to pose risks to peaceful coexistence.

The council made the assessment in a communiqué issued on Monday to mark the 2026 International Day of Peace.

The United Nations marked the day on 21 September under the theme, “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day”, highlighting the role of community-level action in preventing conflicts and building sustainable peace.

The council, known as the Prevent Council, said its assessment followed a special review session on the state of peace in Akwa Ibom and the Niger Delta region.

It said the relative stability in the state should not be mistaken for the absence of conflict risks, stressing the need for continuous investment in conflict prevention and early intervention.

According to the communiqué signed by its Peacebuilding Consultant, Kufre Essien, the council has used early warning and early response mechanisms to prevent several community disputes from escalating.

The council attributed much of its peacebuilding capacity to technical, logistical and capacity-building support from the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND).

It described PIND as the “single largest and most consistent investor in community peace infrastructure in the Niger Delta.”

The council, however, called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to increase funding for peacebuilding and strengthen its collaboration with the Prevent Council.

It also asked private companies, traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, women and youth groups to invest in peacebuilding as part of their corporate and social responsibilities.

The council appealed to residents to resolve disputes through dialogue, tolerance and non-violence.

Land disputes

The council’s warning follows renewed attention to land-related disputes in Akwa Ibom.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that earlier in September, the state government intervened in a lingering dispute involving the Mbak people, six host communities, Ibom Mortgage Bank, Citadel Value Homes and other stakeholders in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.

The Ministry of Lands and Town Planning urged the parties to embrace dialogue and avoid actions capable of threatening peace in the affected communities.

The Prevent Council said its commitment to conflict prevention would remain guided by neutrality, professionalism and community service.

It called for peacebuilding to be treated as a continuing investment rather than an intervention that becomes necessary only after violence has erupted.

The council’s position echoes the emphasis of the United Nations on prevention and grassroots peacebuilding.

In his 2026 International Day of Peace message, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said peace requires deliberate action, including dialogue, inclusive communities, sustainable development and institutions that people can trust.

The Prevent Council said it would continue to deploy its community presence and knowledge towards preventing conflicts and promoting peaceful coexistence in Akwa Ibom.

The communiqué was dated 21 September 2026 and issued in Uyo.