Tension erupted in the Ikot Obong community of Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom, after members of the Udobong Royal Family dropped the coffin of a deceased relative at the village head’s residence following a disagreement over where he should be buried.

According to Nsikakabasi Akpan, the late Stephen Jacob Iboro, a member of the Udobong Royal Family in Ikot Obong, was to be buried on his land following a funeral service conducted by Jehovah’s Witnesses on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Ikot Obong Village Council Hall.

The problem began when Eteidung Obong Gordon Etukeren, the village head of the community, objected to the burial on the land, claiming ownership of the property.

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 d3ath.

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 d3ath.

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.

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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.