BANNER NEWS

Tag: Militants

  • Cross River Govt Hands Over Militants’ Arms to NCCSALW

    Cross River Govt Hands Over Militants’ Arms to NCCSALW

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter
    The Cross River State Government has handed over a cache of arms and ammunition surrendered by 80 repentant militants to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), South-South Zone, reinforcing its commitment to peace and security in the state.
    The handover, which took place on Monday in Calabar, was executed through the Office of the State Security Adviser following the successful disarmament of militants who had operated within the creeks of Calabar and Akpabuyo Local Government Area.
    Receiving the weapons, the Zonal Director of NCCSALW, South-South Zone, Dr. Alex Inemah Ebimiebo, commended the administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu for prioritising security and supporting efforts to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
    Ebimiebo described the development as a tangible outcome of the state’s peace-building initiatives and strong collaboration among security agencies, noting that Cross River continues to stand out as one of the most peaceful states in the country.
    He also praised the State Security Adviser, Major General Okoi Ubi Obono (rtd), for what he described as strategic leadership and effective coordination of the state’s security architecture, which has translated into sustained peace and stability.
    The NCCSALW director stressed the need for continued synergy among security stakeholders to consolidate the gains already recorded and prevent a relapse into violence.
    Ebimiebo disclosed that the Centre would immediately commence the statutory process for the destruction and disposal of the recovered weapons in line with national and international best practices.
    He urged residents of the state to shun actions capable of undermining public peace, while reaffirming NCCSALW’s commitment to tackling the spread of illicit arms across Cross River State and the wider South-South zone.
    The arms were earlier surrendered under Operation OKWOK at the Atimbo Rear Area during an exercise coordinated by the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with the Cross River State Government.
    The repentant militants, drawn from two camps, voluntarily embraced the state’s amnesty programme, laying down assorted rifles, guns, ammunition, explosives, speedboats and other military hardware, in what authorities described as a major boost to peace efforts.

  • 80 Militants Surrender Arms, Embrace Amnesty In Cross River

    80 Militants Surrender Arms, Embrace Amnesty In Cross River

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter
    No fewer than 80 militants have voluntarily surrendered their arms and submitted themselves for amnesty under the Cross River State Government’s programme in Akpabuyo Local Government Area, marking a major boost to peace and security efforts in the state.
    The Nigerian Army said the surrender took place in the early hours of Friday, January 16, 2026, at Atimbo Rear Area, Operation OKWOK, within the Area of Responsibility of Headquarters 13 Brigade, following sustained security operations and engagement.
    According to the Army, the militants emerged from the creeks and were drawn from two camps operating within the coastal axis of Akpabuyo. The first camp, led by ThankGod Ebikontei, also known as Ayibanuagha, presented 39 fighters, while the second camp, headed by John Isaac, popularly called Akpokolo, submitted 41 fighters.
    John Isaac’s group, known as the Akpokolo Marine Forces or Border Boys, was said to have been active along the waterways before opting for the amnesty initiative promoted by the state government.
    During the exercise, the militants voluntarily surrendered a cache of weapons and equipment, including three AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, one Mark 4 rifle, one G3 rifle, 12 single-barrel guns, 10 AK-47 magazines, three speedboats, four boat house engines, one C4 charge explosive, and assorted ammunition and military kits.
    Speaking on the development, the Commander of 13 Brigade, Brigadier General P.O. Alimikhena, described the surrender as a major confidence-building milestone, attributing it to sustained military operations and strong collaboration with the Cross River State Government and other security agencies.
    He said the development demonstrated that constructive engagement and coordinated security efforts remain effective tools for restoring peace, assuring that the Brigade would continue to provide a secure environment while supporting lawful initiatives aimed at reintegrating repentant youths.
    Following the completion of the amnesty process, the former militants were formally handed over to the Cross River State Government’s Rapid Response Team and are currently undergoing profiling by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Muka Sam Hotel, Ikot Ansa, Calabar.
    The Nigerian Army commended the Cross River State Government, under Governor Bassey Edet Otu, for its commitment to peace and security, and reiterated its resolve to work with relevant stakeholders to consolidate gains, prevent a relapse into criminality, and ensure lasting stability across the state.