In a significant breakthrough, 80 militants who had been terrorizing the Calabar Oron Waterway have surrendered their arms, bringing relief to residents and travellers.

The surrender is a result of a joint operation by Operation Okwok and other police components in Cross River State, marking a major success in the state’s efforts to restore peace and security in the maritime sector.

Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah disclosed this in a statement in Calabar.

He enumerated the ammunition recovered from the repentant militants adding that the individuals embraced the Cross River State Amnesty programme.

“Following an operation coordinated by Operation Okwok and other Police components, about eighty (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.

“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 individuals embraced the Cross River State Government’s amnesty programme, opting for peace and reintegration over criminality.

“The repentant individuals have openly renounced violence and expressed their readiness to be rehabilitated and fully reintegrated into society as law-abiding citizens”, he said.

He said all recovered arms and ammunition are being handled strictly in line with established Police procedures, while the repentant individuals are guided through appropriate rehabilitation and reintegration processes.

The PRO disclosed that the surrender, which was achieved without the use of force, underscores the effectiveness of the Command’s strategy of dialogue, strategic engagement, confidence-building, and intelligence-led operations.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Rashid Afegbua commends the Cross River State Government for its unwavering support and collaboration.

The Calabar Oron Waterway has suffered a number of security breaches and in October last year, 17 passengers were abducted in the waterway and spent 11 days in captivity before their release.

(The Sun; but headline revised for clarity)