In the preceding account, the Okoho Group traced the origin of Efiks to a location in the Niger from where they migrated to Arochukwu. After encountering some trouble with their host in Arochukwu, the Efiks moved on to Uruan in present-day Akwa Ibom State, and from Uruan to their present locations.
After the averment of the Okoho Group, it was the turn of the Ambo Group to give evidence at the inquiry. Etubom Ededem Ekpenyong Oku represented the Ambo Group and was assisted by some historians and experts. Etubom Ededem Ekpenyong Oku gave the following written and oral testimony:
75. The Efiks were an oriental tribe whose home was in Palestine. After crossing the Suez; they wandered for many years in North Africa, and crossing the Sahara entered Nigeria. Just before getting into Nigeria a great number of the original stock branched off into Ghana. This early connection with Ghana is evidenced by the existence in Ghana of such Efik names as Esien, Ansa, Otu, Aqua, Oku, Ama, etc. Some Efik traditional habits like elaborate mourning for the dead, women’s hair style (Nun) personal habit, pouring libation, etc., exist in Ghana.
76. When the Efiks reached Eastern Nigeria, they first settled at Ututu in the Ibo country. The people of Ututu called the Efik immigrants Eburutu, a corruption of the words “Hebrew and Ututu” the former word being a reference to the Efik oriental origin. Eburutu is the name by which all Efiks are known until this day.
77. The Efiks soon became involved in a religious controversy with the natives of Ututu who wanted them to worship their heathen god. The Efiks refused to acknowledge this strange god, saying that they were worshippers of Abasi Ibom (God of the Universe) whose Usan Abasi, the Efik symbol of worship, a relic of the “Ark of God” they had brought with them in their journeys. Owing to this religious controversy the Efiks left Ututu for Umuahia. Here, too, religious controversy dogged their footsteps and the majority of them had to leave, a few remaining behind in the settlement of Umuahia-Ibeku, which is supposed to be a settlement of people of Efik stock.
78. From Umuahia their wanderings took them to Itu-Mbauzor where the Efiks learnt the Obon play. Itu-Mbauzor language displays basic linguistic similarities with the Efik dialect. From Itu – Mbauzor the Efiks arrived at Ibom in Arochuku, a name given by the Aros to the place where the Efiks settled in the Aro country and worshipped Abasi Ibom.
79. On leaving Ibom in Arochuku the Efiks arrived at Uruan in Ibibio land. Four tribes of Eburutu reached Uruan, viz., Abayen, Usuk-Akpa, Enwang and Iboku. There were originally twelve tribes. The remaining eight which spread in different directions during the migrations were-
(1) Enyong.
(2) Ugep.
(3) Ibeno.
(4) Akwunakwuna.
(5) Ito.
(6) Uqua.
(7) Eket.
(8) Oron.
These last eight tribes of Eburutu had been partially absorbed by other tribes and had well-nigh lost their identity through intermingling with foreign elements. Those who consistently remained Efiks and kept by themselves and retained the identity of the original stock were the four tribes previously mentioned. These four tribes form what is known as the Seven Efik Esiens or Seven Efik Clans which include Abayen, Esuk Akpa, Enwang, Iboku which comprises Adiabo, Mbiabo and Obutong. Efiks were nicknamed Iboku at Uruan as a term of abuse meaning the Ibos who hailed from Uku.
80. At Uruan another religious controversy arose between the Efiks and the natives of Uruan over the worship of the local deity, Atakpor-Uruan. The refusal of the Efiks to worship this god was regarded as civil disobedience and the natives sought one pretext or another to come into open conflict with the Efiks. They accused the Efiks of wizardry and of having a secret hand in the frequent seizure of their children by crocodiles, an occurrence which appeared to have become more rampant after the arrival of the Efiks.
They also accused the Efiks of sacrificing human lives during burial. Open conflict came when two women, an Efik and an Uruan, quarrelled over an axe and men joined the affray.
81. In the fight that ensued in which the Efiks were not worsted, Ekpo Ibanga Nkanta, an Uruan man and a friend of the Efiks, fought against his own people. Through his help the Efiks captured valuable property as spoils including the Ntinya, (native crown), the Akata (throne), the Ikpaya (woven robe made of raffia) and the Ayan (broom), the symbols of royal authority amongst the people of Uruan. After this fight, the
Efiks decided to leave Uruan and Ekpo Ibanga Nkanta left with them to avoid reprisals from his own people. These are the Efiks who left Uruan- -Oku Atai Iboku, Ema Atai Tboku, Adim Atai Ihoku and Ukpong Atai Iboku. Ikpo Ibanga. Nkanta loft, as has been seen, as their ally. The Efik original symbols of regal authority were the Okpono (head ring) the Nuk Enen (elephant tusk) and the Usan Idan and hide. The Efiks also had a secret cult known as Nyana-Yaku now known as Ekpe or Mkpe. The headof this cult was the civil authority of the tribe and he was Obong or King.
82. When the Efiks left Uruan, they came to Ikpa Ene or Akani Obio Efik (old Efik town). The Ibibios desirous of recovering the valuable property removed by the Efiks followed them thither and by disguising themselves as harmless wine tappers seeking shelter and warmth, took advantage of the hospitality offered them by the unsuspecting Efiks to murder and plunder their hosts. The attacks of the Ibibios made the Efiks decide to migrate to Ndodoghi. This contestant also subscribed to the story of the origin of the saying of the Efiks quoted in paragraph 69.
83. Owing to the unhealthy nature of Ndodoghi, the Efiks stayed there for only a short while, for they soon migrated to Creek Town, the original metropolis of the Efiks. Oku Atai Iboku, Eyo Ema Atai Iboku, Adim Atai Iboku and Ukpong Atai Iboku landed at Creck Town and with them was their Ibibio friend and ally, Ekpo Ibanga Nkanta. Oku Atai was the priest. Lyo Ema settled at the site known as Ibitam, Oku Atai founded Ambo or Mbarakom, Adim Atai and Ukpong Atai occupied the site known as Ikot Turner and Esuk Mbe. Ekpo Ibanga Nkanta was given a place to settle on the outskirts of Eyo Ema’s site, known as Adana Oko Eyo Ema. This name has now been corrupted to Adaha Uko.
84. When the Efiks landed in Creek Town they met the people of Adadia whom they vanquished in a slight skirmish. The Adadia people who hailed from the District of Uruan called their victors Ikot Ata Uko (the brave ones). This nickname has been corrupted to Ekot Etonko and the people of Creek Town are today known as Ikot Etonko Esit Edik whilst the people of Duke Town are Ekot Etonko Atakpa.
85. Ekpo Ibanga Nkanta died at Creek Town. Efiom Ekpo Ibanga Nkanta, his son, who survived him had three children, Edem Efiom Ekpo Ibanga Nkanta, Nsa Efiom Ekpo Ibanga Nkanta and Okoho Efiom Ekpo Ibanga Nkanta, the last of whom was a daughter.
Okoho had twins and was relegated to Nsutana where her brother Edem Efiom took care of her and her children, Offiong Okoho and Efiom Okoho. Edem Efiom, Okoho and her twin children all made a home in Duke Town. The children of Adim Atai were the first to leave Creek Town. They founded Old Town or Obutong. Some of the children of Ukpong Atai joined the settlement at Mbiabo and others settled at Adiabo. The Old Town settlement founded by Adim Atai flourished in trade and the children of Ansa Efiom Ekpo Ibanga Nkanta being attracted by the rapid growth of Old ‘Town migrated and came over to Duke Town. They settled at first at Okopedi Ewa Nsa, the present site of Cobham Town, and finally left to Henshaw ‘Town.
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