Serious tension erupted in the Ikot Obong community in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, after members of the Udobong Royal Family placed the coffin of a deceased relative at the residence of the village head following a disagreement over his burial location.
According to one Nsikakabasi Akpan, the late Stephen Jacob Iboro, a member of the Udobong Royal Family in Ikot Obong, was scheduled to be buried on his land after a funeral service conducted by members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Ikot Obong Village Council Hall.
The problem started when the village head of the community, Eteidung Obong Gordon Etukeren, opposed the burial on the land, claiming that the property belonged to him.
Community sources said both the deceased and the village head are from the same family lineage within the Udobong Royal Family.
The late Iboro reportedly had no children, and the village head was said to have insisted that he should inherit the land and property after the man’s death.
However, other members of the family have strongly rejected the claim and are supporting the burial of the deceased on the land.
According to the Chief Mourner, Mr Oliver Isaac Obot, the late Iboro bought the land about 13 years ago and built a house on it where he lived until his death.
Family members also stated that documents showing that the deceased owned the land were presented, but the village head allegedly refused to accept the claim.
The dispute was later reported to the Nigeria Police Force headquarters at Ikot Akpan Abia, where both parties were invited for a meeting.
During the meeting attended by the state Commissioner of Police, the village head reportedly signed an agreement allowing the burial to take place on the land.
However, in a dramatic twist, the village head allegedly secured a court injunction on Friday, March 6, stopping the burial from taking place on the property.
This came after the family had already announced the funeral, printed programmes and invited guests.
Despite the development, the funeral service went ahead on Saturday as planned.
After the service, family members carried the coffin to the palace of the village head, Eteidung Obong Gordon Etukeren, and placed it there in protest over the dispute.
At the time of filing this report, the coffin was still lying at the palace.
palace.
