Photos: 80 Militants Surrender Arms, Accept Amnesty in Cross River

No fewer than 80 militants operating in the creeks of Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State have voluntarily surrendered their arms and accepted the state government’s amnesty and reintegration programme.

The surrender took place on Friday at the Atimbo Rear Area under Operation OKWOK, within the Area of Responsibility of Headquarters 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army. Security officials described the development as a major step in efforts to curb militancy and maritime crime in southern Cross River.

Security sources said the outcome followed months of sustained military operations alongside quiet engagement involving community leaders, government officials and security agencies.

Two militant camps disbanded simultaneously. The first, led by ThankGod Ebikontei, also known as Ayibanuagha, presented 39 fighters, with four others expected to report in the coming days.

The second camp, commanded by John Isaac, popularly called Akpokolo, produced 41 fighters. His group, known along the waterways as the Akpokolo Marine Forces or “Border Boys,” had controlled key creek routes linking Cross River to neighbouring coastal areas. Ten additional members from the camp are expected to join the process.

In total, 80 militants formally exited the creeks and entered the state-supervised disarmament and rehabilitation framework.

The surrender included a large cache of weapons and equipment. Items handed over comprised AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, a Mark 4 rifle, a G3 rifle, single-barrel guns, magazines, speedboats, high-powered boat engines, locally made pistols and assorted military gear.

Security officials also confirmed the surrender of an explosive charge and live ammunition, alongside machetes, camouflage uniforms, tactical vests, protective guards and communication equipment. The volume and type of items recovered indicated that the groups were well-armed and organised.

The Nigerian Army said the scale of the surrender showed that the amnesty programme was engaging key actors rather than low-level operatives.

Commander of 13 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. P.O. Alimikhena, described the development as a confidence-building outcome of the military’s approach.

“This voluntary surrender confirms that sustained operations, combined with dialogue and close cooperation with the Cross River State Government and other security agencies, can restore peace,” he said.

“We will continue to secure the area while supporting lawful initiatives aimed at reintegrating repentant youths and ensuring stability.”

Military sources said the Akpabuyo development followed intensified patrols, improved intelligence gathering and closer engagement with influential community structures.

After the disarmament exercise, the former militants were handed over to the Cross River State Government’s Rapid Response Team and are currently undergoing profiling by the Department of State Services at Muka Sam Hotel in Ikot Ansa, Calabar.

Officials said the profiling is to verify identities, assess security risks and determine eligibility for rehabilitation, skills acquisition and reintegration support, adding that the process is designed to prevent abuse of the amnesty programme.

Akpabuyo Local Government Area lies along a key maritime corridor linking inland communities to coastal and cross-border trade routes. Militancy in the area has for years disrupted fishing, water transport, palm produce trade and commercial activities with Cameroon.

Crimes such as sea robbery, extortion of fishermen and violent clashes had made the creeks unsafe. The withdrawal of two major militant camps in one day marks a significant shift in the local security landscape.

The Nigerian Army attributed the success to strong civil-military cooperation and commended the Cross River State Government, under Governor Bassey Edet Otu, for its support in dialogue, coordination and logistics.

Sources said the state’s emphasis on rehabilitation and youth empowerment made participation in the amnesty more attractive than continued armed activity.

Security officials cautioned that the sustainability of peace will depend on effective reintegration, monitoring and economic engagement of the former militants. Headquarters 13 Brigade said it will continue to consolidate gains in the area, maintaining security pressure on any group that rejects dialogue.

The public was urged to continue providing credible information to security agencies, as authorities described the Akpabuyo surrender as a foundation for improved security across Cross River State.

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