Residents of Esuk Ekom Community in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State have raised concerns over alleged unauthorized sand extraction activities linked to the ongoing Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway Project.
The allegation is contained in a petition dated December 17, 2025, submitted by the Association of Concerned Indigenes of Okoyong Community to several security agencies, including the State Security Service (SSS), the Cross River State Police Command, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the State Security Adviser.
According to the petition, Hi-Tech Construction Company, the firm handling the coastal highway project, allegedly opened a new access road outside the approved 100-metre project corridor to extract sand from a river in Esuk Ekom village.
The petitioners claimed that the sand extraction was carried out without the consent of the Eyo Ekpo Family, whom they identified as the rightful landowners of the affected area. They described the development as a deviation from approved project boundaries and a violation of local land ownership rights.
Esuk Ekom is among the thirteen villages in Okoyong Community said to be affected by the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway Project, which involves the acquisition of farmlands, economic trees, and ancestral lands for construction purposes.
The petitioners warned that the alleged unauthorized activities had heightened tension within the community, particularly against the backdrop of ongoing disputes surrounding the compensation process for affected landowners.
They further argued that such actions, if left unaddressed, could undermine trust between the community, the construction company, and government authorities, while posing potential risks to peace and security in the area.
The association called on security agencies and relevant authorities to investigate the alleged sand extraction, ensure compliance with approved project boundaries, and protect the rights of indigenous landowners.
Copies of the petition were also sent to the Governor of Cross River state, the Minister of Works, the Managing Director of Hi-Tech Construction Company, and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
As of press time, neither Hi-Tech Construction Company nor relevant government authorities had issued an official response to the allegations.
