Origin from a small district Between Lagos and Benin

This story claims that the 'Onemi' the name Uneme's were given by the propounder of this theory are a small tribe that inhabited a small district between Lagos and Benin, which they left early in the eighteenth century to escape the slave raids of the King of Edo. They joined with another tribe (probably Okpella) and crossed the River Niger. They lived on roots and by hunting, but lost so many men (probably at the hands of the original inhabitants) This made them cross the Niger again, but were driven out by the Fulani and finally, on the advent of the British, a section of the tribe crossed the river once more and settled in South Kabba. The Uneme tribe therefore is still divided.

Reference

Harunah, A Cultural History of the Uneme

Temple, Notes on The Tribes, Provinces, Emirates and States of the Northern Provinces of Nigeria