They were formally known as Umor, Ekoli, Ilomi, Nkoibolokom and Yakurr be Ibe. Due to linguistic problems encountered by the early European visitors, the settlements have come to be known by their mispronounced versions – Ugep, Ekori, Idomi, Nko and Mkpani (Okoi-Uyouyo, 2002). In the latter, it is a product of Yakpanikpani (Lokạạ word for tricks), a name, which Enang (1980) says was given to them
by the Ugep people after being tricked in a conflict. Yakurr lies between latitudes 50 401 and 60 101 north of the equator and longitudes 80 21 and 60 101 east of the Greenwich Meridian and 120 km (75 miles) northwest of Calabar the capital of Cross River State, Nigeria. They are found in the present day Yakurr Local Government Area and constitute the largest ethnic group in the State. The people share their northern and eastern boundaries with Obubra Local Government Area, the southern boundary with Biase Local Government Area and the western boundary with Abi Local Government Area.
