The South-South Zone of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has received arms and ammunition surrendered by 80 repentant militants in Cross River State.
The weapons were handed over to the centre by the office of the state security adviser after the successful disarmament of militants who had previously operated in the creeks of Calabar and Akpabuyo Local Government Area.
Speaking to journalists in Calabar after receiving the arms, the Zonal Director of NCCSALW, Mr. Alex Ebimiebo, stressed the need for sustained collaboration among all components of the state’s security architecture.
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Ebimiebo disclosed that the centre would begin the statutory process for the destruction and disposal of the recovered weapons, in accordance with national and international best practices.
He urged residents of Cross River State to refrain from actions capable of threatening public peace, while reaffirming the centre’s commitment to curbing the proliferation of illicit arms in the state and across the South-South region.
The zonal director also commended the administration of Governor Bassey Otu for prioritising security, particularly efforts aimed at controlling the spread of illegal arms and weapons.
The arms were earlier surrendered under ‘Operation OKWOK’ at the Atimbo Rear Area during an exercise coordinated by the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with the Cross River State government.
The repentant militants, drawn from two camps, reportedly embraced the state’s amnesty programme and voluntarily surrendered their assorted weapons, including rifles, guns, ammunition, explosives, speedboats, and other military hardware.
