By Onwa Ekor
The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), South-South Zone, has formally received a cache of arms and ammunition surrendered by 80 repentant militants in Cross River.
The weapons were handed over to the Centre by the Office of the State Security Adviser, following the successful disarmament of militants who had operated within the creeks of Calabar and Akpabuyo local government area.
Speaking to journalists in Calabar after receiving the arms, the Zonal Director of NCCSALW, South-South Zone, Alex Ebimiebo, commended the administration of Governor Bassey Otu, for according priority to security matters, particularly the fight against the proliferation of arms and other weapons in the state.
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 (rtd), for his strategic leadership and strong collaboration with security agencies, which he said, has translated into concrete 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 Cross Riverians and residents of the 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 entire South-South Zone.
The arms surrendered by the militants were earlier laid down 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 government.
The repentant militants, drawn from two camps, voluntarily embraced the state’s amnesty programme, surrendering assorted weapons including rifles, guns, ammunition, explosives, speedboats and other military hardware.
Representing the State Security Adviser at the event, 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 government’s prompt response to security concerns and sustained support for security agencies have continued to boost morale and yield positive outcomes in the maintenance of peace.
