Three men; Oono, Oodo Ogodo and Ameh Ochagbaha coming from diverse directions in search of fortunes converged at a spot popularly known today as Oto.

According to Money, Otukpa was formed from two Idoma words: ‘Oto’ a name of a village in the then settlement and ‘Ukpa” a sacred plant believed to contain medicinal properties and healing powers.

It was in the mist of the plants ‘Ukpa’ in a village called ‘Oto’ that the elders of the three clans Ai-Oono, Ai-Oodo and Ai-Ochagbaha had a convent and pact of love, friendship and defence.

The whole area hitherto full of forest has gradually deforestated so as to give way to agriculture to support the increasing population.

The only forest reserves in the vicinity of the villages are retained for purpose of defence, game and worship of deities.