No fewer than 80 militants who once terrorised the Calabar creeks and parts of Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State have stunned residents by voluntarily surrendering their arms to the Nigerian Army.

The dramatic surrender took place on Friday at the Atimbo Rear Area of Operation OKWOK in Akpabuyo LGA, under the watch of the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army.

The mass defection involved fighters from two notorious militant camps. The first group, led by ThankGod Ebikontei, popularly known as Ayibanuagha, presented 39 militants for the amnesty programme.

The second faction, commanded by John Isaac, alias Akpokolo, submitted 41 fighters. Isaac’s group is infamously known as the Akpokolo Marine Forces or Border Boys.

During the exercise, the former militants handed over a significant cache of deadly weapons and logistics, including three AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, one Mark 4 rifle, one G3 rifle, 12 single-barrel guns, 10 AK-47 magazines and one C4 explosive charge.

Also recovered were three speedboats, four boat engines, 19 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 84 DENGUN cartridges, assorted military kits, tools, locally fabricated weapons and other accessories.

Reacting to the development, the Commander of 13 Brigade, Brigadier-General P. O. Alimikhena, described the surrender as a major confidence-building breakthrough in efforts to restore peace and security within the brigade’s operational area.

He said the militants’ decision to embrace peace reflected the impact of sustained military pressure, dialogue, and collaboration with the Cross River State Government and other security agencies.

Alimikhena assured residents that the Army would continue to maintain a secure environment while supporting lawful initiatives focused on reintegrating repentant youths and sustaining stability across the state.

After the surrender, the former militants were formally handed over to the Cross River State Government’s Rapid Response Team and are currently being profiled by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Muka Sam Hotel, Ikot Ansa, Calabar.

In a statement signed by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade, Major Yemi Sokoya, the Nigerian Army commended the Cross River State Government for its peace-building efforts and reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders to prevent a return to criminality.