Cross River State recorded a breakthrough in its peace efforts on Friday as dozens of militants operating in Akpabuyo Local Government Area voluntarily surrendered their weapons under the state government’s amnesty initiative.
The surrender took place in the early hours of 16 January 2026 at Atimbo Rear Area, Operation OKWOK in Akpabuyo. Militants emerged from the creeks to present themselves for rehabilitation and reintegration, marking a significant step toward lasting stability in the region.
According to the Headquarters 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, the militants came from two notorious camps. The first group, led by ThankGod Ebikontei, also known as Ayibanuagha, handed over 39 fighters, while the second, headed by John Isaac, popularly called Akpokolo, surrendered 41 fighters. Akpokolo’s group is widely known as the Akpokolo Marine Forces or Border Boys.
During the exercise, the former militants voluntarily handed over a range of sophisticated weapons and military equipment, including:
Three AK-47 rifles
Two pump-action guns
One Mark 4 rifle and one G3 rifle
Twelve single-barrel guns
Ten AK-47 magazines
Nineteen rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and 84 DENGUN cartridges
One C4 explosive charge
Three speedboats with four boat engines
Assorted military kits, locally fabricated weapons, tools, and accessories
The Commander of 13 Brigade, Brigadier General PO Alimikhena, described the surrender as a major confidence-building milestone in the ongoing effort to restore peace in the state. He noted that the voluntary action demonstrated the effectiveness of combining sustained military operations with constructive engagement and collaboration with the Cross River State Government and other security agencies.
Brigadier General Alimikhena added that the brigade would continue to provide a secure environment, while supporting initiatives that aim to reintegrate repentant youths and ensure lasting stability in its area of responsibility.
Following the completion of the amnesty process, the former militants were formally handed over to the Cross River State Government’s Rapid Response Team. They are now undergoing profiling and rehabilitation at Muka Sam Hotel, Ikot Ansa, Calabar, under the supervision of the State Security Service.
The Nigerian Army praised Governor Bassey Edet Otu and the Cross River State Government for their active role in ensuring the success of the programme, noting that the state’s coordination and proactive engagement were key to achieving this peace milestone.
The statement also highlighted the importance of civil-military collaboration in maintaining long-term security. Members of the public were urged to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to help sustain peace and safety across the communities in the state.
