Akpa

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The Akpa is a major Cross River clan of the Igbo descended Aro people centered in Ibom, Arochukwu in Nigeria. The name Akpa was taken after their popular king. This Aro clan is originally from the Ekoi territory around the Calabar area.

During the Aro-Ibibio wars in present day Arochukwu in the 17th-18th century, an Igbo leader named Okennachi (the first Igbo EzeAro), invited his allies the princes Osim and Akuma Nnubi from the east of the Cross River to assist him in overrunning the Ibibios and granting them lands. The Nnubis, led their people known as the Akpa to present-day Arochukwu. They led the Akpa forces who had firearms to ally with Igbo forces and defeat the Ibibios. Though Osim Nnubi died, the Aros defeated the Ibibios and captured the area. Akpa people remain till this day mainly in Ibom, Obinkita, UgwuAkuma, and other towns belonging to the Ibom isi kindred. They have highly influenced the Cross River Igbo culture. The Akpas was later absorbed in the dominant Igbo group who ruled the Aro Confederacy.

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