Repentant Fighters from Creeks has Embraced State Government's ProgrammeIn a significant step toward restoring peace and security in Cross River State, no fewer than 80 repentant militants voluntarily surrendered a large cache of arms and ammunition on Friday, January 16, 2026, under the state's amnesty programme.
The surrender occurred at the Atimbo Rear Area in Akpabuyo Local Government Area, supervised by the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army as part of Operation OKWOK.
The militants emerged from the creeks and handed over their weapons in a coordinated exercise involving two separate camps.The first group, led by ThankGod Ebikontei (popularly known as Ayibanuagha), comprised 39 fighters.
The second group, headed by John Isaac (alias Akpokolo) and known as the Akpokolo Marine Forces or Border Boys, included 41 fighters.
Among the items recovered were:
- Three AK-47 rifles
- Two pump-action guns
- One Mark 4 rifle
- One G3 rifle
- Twelve single-barrel guns
- Ten AK-47 magazines
- One C4 explosive charge
- Three speedboats
- Four boat engines
- 19 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition
- 84 DENGUN cartridges
- Assorted military kits, tools, locally fabricated weapons, and accessories
Brigadier General P.O. Alimikhena, Commander of the 13 Brigade, described the event as "a major confidence-building milestone."
He emphasized that the combination of sustained military operations, constructive dialogue, and strong collaboration with the Cross River State Government and other security agencies proved effective in encouraging the voluntary surrender.
The former militants were formally handed over to the state's Rapid Response Team and are currently undergoing profiling by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Muka Sam Hotel in Ikot Ansa, Calabar, as part of their reintegration process.
The Nigerian Army commended Governor Bassey Edet Otu for his unwavering commitment to peace, security, and stability in the state, noting that the government's proactive engagement played a key role in this success.
The army also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to help consolidate these gains and prevent any return to criminal activities.
This breakthrough highlights the effectiveness of non-kinetic approaches such as dialogue and amnesty initiatives in addressing militancy along the Calabar-Oron waterways and in the creeks of Akpabuyo.
It marks a turning point for sustainable peace in the region, with the ex-fighters renouncing violence and expressing readiness to reintegrate as law-abiding citizens.
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