Ariam/Usaka

Ariam migrated from Ugwuala in Abam and Usaka from Ora Obara also in Abam. The first settler in Ekpiri was called Onyeike Ukwumbe from Ubaha in Nsulu Ngwa (popularly called Umu Osaji) in the Old Aba Province. They drove away the Annang inhabitants and settled at Ariam Ala-Ala. Later, the scarcity of land made them warriors who drove the Annang group further southwest to Nto Ndang and Ita Ikpo. The new settlement was named Ariam Elu-Elu.[3]

The Ariam people celebrate the Ekpe festival; an event marked by the other three groups in Ikwuano. Local wrestling tournaments are also organized. They speak the Igbo language but have their own dialect.[5]

Ariam/Usaka is made up of 15 villages namely;

• Amaegbu

• Ariam Ala-Ala

• Ariam Elu-Elu

• Azunchai

• Ekpiri Ala-Ala

• Ekpiri Elu-Elu

• Ekwelu

• Ndieke

• Ndiokoro

• Ndiorie

• Obugwu

• Obeama

• Oboni

• Upa

• Usaka Ukwu[6]

Over the years, the Ariam/Usaka community has continuously been involved in bloody boundary skirmishes with her Akwa Ibom neighbors. For instance, in February 2021, as many as 16 people were reportedly killed, with six others missing in Usaka Ukwu, Azunchai, Ekpiri Ala-Ala and Ariam Elu-Elu and among their Nkari and Obot Akara neighbors in Ini and Obot Akara LGAs of Akwa Ibom State respectively. Other communities affected by the boundary clash were Oboni, Upa, Ndiorie, Obugwu and Ekwelu.[7][8]

• Oloko