80 Militants Lay Down Arms as Cross River Sustains Peace Drive
By Bassey BASSEY
Cross River State’s efforts to consolidate peace and security appear to be yielding positive results, as 80 repentant militants have surrendered a cache of arms and ammunition to security authorities.
The weapons surrendered include assorted rifles, guns, ammunition, explosives, speedboats and other military hardware.
The militants surrendered the arms under Operation OKWOK at the Atimbo Rear Area, in 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 government’s amnesty programme as part of efforts to end militancy and promote lasting peace.
Speaking in Calabar shortly after receiving the arms, the Zonal Director of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, South South Zone, Dr Alex Inemah Ebimiebo, commended the administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu for giving priority attention to security, particularly in the fight against the proliferation of illicit arms.
Ebimiebo described the development as a testament to the effectiveness of the state government’s peace building initiatives and collaborative security framework, noting that Cross River continues to stand out as one of the safest and most peaceful states in the country.
He also lauded the State Security Adviser, Major General Okoi Ubi Obono retired, for his strategic leadership and strong collaboration with security agencies, which he said had translated into tangible gains in maintaining peace and stability across the state. He called for sustained synergy among all components of the state’s security architecture to preserve and deepen the prevailing peace.
The NCCSALW zonal director disclosed that the Centre would immediately commence the statutory process for the destruction and disposal of the weapons received, in line with national and international best practices. He further urged residents of Cross River State to shun acts capable of threatening public peace, while reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to curbing the spread of illicit arms in the state and across the South South zone.
Speaking on behalf of the State Security Adviser, Inspector Adoga David assured that the Otu led administration would not relent in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the state. He noted that the government’s prompt response to security concerns and sustained support for security agencies had continued to boost morale and produce positive outcomes in the maintenance of peace.
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