By Musa Kutama, Calabar
Not fewer than seven persons were reportedly arrested by the law enforcement agents at the Henshaw Town community of Calabar South, Thursday, while attending a peace meeting convened by a faction of the Henshaw Town Council (HTC) leadership.
Recall that the Henshaw Town crisis, which began about six years ago, had pitched the Paramount Ruler of Calabar South, HRM Etubom Nyong Efiom Okon against loyalists of Late Etubom Inyang GD Henshaw who was the life president of HTC. Both groups are laying claims to the headship of the Council.
And, while Etubom Nyong Okon is insisting that the 1980 constitution of the Council confers on him, the position of the President as the highest ranking member, IGD Henshaw loyalists are saying the Paramount Ruler had been expelled and that the Council is now administered by Etubom Ekpo Nsa as Alternate President.
The Obong of Calabar had, last week, called for a peaceful resolution of the crisis. Reports say the Paramount Ruler had convened a peace meeting of leaders last Thursday, but the IGD Henshaw group said many of their members were excluded, a situation that caused them to schedule another meeting for today, September 25.
But, all hell broke loose when some persons were reportedly picked up and whisked away, including an Etubom, by the anti-cultism unit of the police.
However, a press release signed by the head of the IGD Henshaw faction, Etubom Ekpo Nsa, (addressed as Acting President of Henshaw Town Council), and made available to journalists Thursday evening, said seven of their members were arrested.
They accused the Paramount Ruler of disrupting “peace meeting Nkot Mbok Nsidung convened by Acting President of Henshaw Town Council.”
The release read in part said: “Over the last two months, leaders of HTC, members of the community and potential investors have witnessed escalating crisis in HTC and community. The people of Henshaw Town, Calabar are being terrorised and we call on the State Government and Federal Government to investigate the crisis and bring the culprits to justice.
“Etubom Nyong Efiom Okon falsely convened a factional meeting of HTC on 18 September 2025, falsely claiming the council had been closed since 2019 and declaring himself President of HTC. An illegitimate action that has angered and divided the Henshaw Town community.
“In response, on 20th September 2025, the authentic head of HTC, Etubom Ekpo Nsa Ekeng, Acting President of Henshaw Town Council, announced he would convene a meeting of all factions of all houses tagged ‘Nkot Mbok Nsidung 2025, to begin a genuine peace process in Henshaw Town.
“The meeting was scheduled for Thursday 25th September 2025 at 12noon, hand delivered invitations were sent to leaders of all factions of all houses, radio announcements, flyers and town criers spread the invitation to the wider community.
“On 24th September 2025, the Paramount Ruler of Calabar South called for the suspension of the peace meeting tagged Nkot Mbok and instead convened his own meeting at 11am in the same venue – Henshaw Town Council.
“When Etubom Ekpo Nsa and his delegation of other Etuboms, Palace Advisors, Obonganwan Nsidung Barbara Etim James, women and youth arrived HTC at about 10.20am, we were barred from entering the council to attend any peace meeting. One Etubom and six others were arrested and detained by Anti Cultism Squad.
“We call on the Governor of Cross River State, HE Prince Bassey Edet Otu to intervene in the crisis in Henshaw Town Council and remove Etubom Nyong Effiom Okon as Clan head and Paramount Ruler.”
But in an interview, the Paramount Ruler said “Those arrested were trying to violate the order of the Cross River state government that we should all come together for peace. Last week, we had a peace meeting with all stakeholders as advised by Obong of Calabar and the State governmnt. However, those arrested were picked up for questioning.
“I have often times made it clear that whosoever violates the laws of the land would face the full anger of the law. For the fact that we are making peace across board does not warrant anyone to go and cause trouble and hide under the cloak of peace.”
Asked whether he would give an order for those arrested to be released in the interest of peace which the embattled community was pursuing, the Paramount Ruler said “Those arrested may not be members of Henshaw Town Council.
“So, you cannot conclude that our members were arrested. They could have been hoodlum sent to foment trouble. When they get there and make their statement, their statement will make it clear who they really are.
“If they are members, fine, the Police will release them. If they are not, they must tell the Police why they came here. The peace initiative that we have started must be sustained and no one can derail it.”
