Some of the surrendered arms and ammunition.
By Anietie Akpan
Non-kinetic policing approach in Cross River State is yielding results as about 80 repentant militants, who had been terrorising the Bakassi–Oron waterways of the State, have voluntarily surrendered.
The militants equally surrendered assorted arms and ammunition in their possession as a result of sustained efforts to rid Cross River State of illegal arms and ammunition thus restoring peace and security along the Cross River-Akwa Ibom waterways.
Among the items surrendered were “an expanded GPMG, AK-47 ammunition, a pistol, several locally fabricated rifles with their cartridges, as well as cutlasses”, the Police stated.
A release dated January 16, from the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Sunday Eitokpah for the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Police Command, said the Command, in collaboration with the Cross River State Government, recorded the major breakthrough in its ongoing arms mop-up initiative through the adoption of a non-kinetic policing approach.
The release said, this remarkable development was achieved, following an operation coordinated by Operation Okwok and other Police components in which “about 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, the Police said, “underscores the effectiveness of the Command’s strategy of dialogue, strategic engagement, confidence-building, and intelligence-led operations”.
The repentant individuals according to the Police, 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, commended the State Government for its unwavering support and collaboration.
He reassured 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.
The release said, “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”.
