Ukelle people (Nigeria)
The Ukelle people (Ba'kelle) make up roughly half of the population of the Yala Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria. The language of the Ukelle people is Kukelle belonging to the Kukelle-Korring language family.
The major groups among the Ukelle are:
- North Ukelle in Cross River State: The subgroups here are Wanihem (including Wanibolor), Wanikade (including Uzenyi), Wanokom (including Otikili) and Uzekwe (including Okom).
- South Ukelle in Cross River State: Subgroups are Uzilagar (Ijiraga), Uzikatom, Uzokom (Ujokom) and Otiligom (Ntrigom).
Ba'kelle are closely related to:
- Orring people of Effium (Uffium), Ntezi (Eteji), Amuda (Idzem) and Okpoto in Ebonyi State.
- Utonkon (also known as Uffia or Wanffia) in Benue State.