By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – About 80 repentant militants have embraced peace and surrendered in Cross River State.
Converseer learned that the repentant militants who had been terrorising the Bakassi–Oron waterways of the State, voluntarily surrendered themselves alongside assorted arms and ammunition in their possession last week.
According to a statement issued by ASP Sunday Eitokpah, Police Public Relations Officer, Cross River State Command for the Commissioner of Police, on 16th January 2026, the success was recorded courtesy of the Nigeria Police and the Cross River State Government.
“In furtherance of sustained efforts to rid Cross River State of illegal arms and ammunition, the Cross River State Police Command, in collaboration with the Cross River State Government, has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing arms mop-up initiative through the adoption of a non-kinetic policing approach.
“In a remarkable development, following an operation coordinated by Operation Okwok and other Police components, about eighty (80) repentant militants, who had been terrorising the Bakassi–Oron waterways of the State, voluntarily surrendered themselves alongside assorted arms and ammunition in their possession. The individuals embraced the Cross River State Government’s amnesty programme, opting for peace and reintegration over criminality.
“The surrender, which was achieved without the use of force, underscores the effectiveness of the Command’s strategy of dialogue, strategic engagement, confidence-building, and intelligence-led operations.
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“The repentant individuals have openly renounced violence and expressed their readiness to be rehabilitated and fully reintegrated into society as law-abiding citizens, further validating the Command’s commitment to people-oriented and intelligence-driven policing.
“This development reinforces the Nigeria Police Force’s broader shift towards non-kinetic policing strategies, which prioritise prevention, persuasion, negotiation, and community collaboration as critical tools for addressing security challenges and achieving sustainable peace.
“The Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Rashid Afegbua, commends the Cross River State Government for its unwavering support and collaboration. He reassures residents of the Command’s resolve to consolidate these gains and sustain proactive measures aimed at ensuring the safety and security of lives and property across the State.
“Members of the public are encouraged to continue to cooperate with the Police by providing timely and credible information to support ongoing security operations.
“Among the items surrendered were an Expanded GPMG, AK-47 ammunition, a pistol, several locally fabricated rifles with their cartridges, as well as cutlasses. All recovered arms and ammunition are being handled strictly in line with established Police procedures, while the repentant individuals are being guided through appropriate rehabilitation and reintegration processes,” the statement read.
