Peace returns to the creeks as 80 militants embrace the Cross River amnesty program
If you have been monitoring the security situation in the Niger Delta lately, you would know that the creeks have often been a place of high tension and “restlessness.” But this week, a very different kind of wind is blowing through Cross River State.
In what many are describing as a major breakthrough for regional stability, 80 militants have officially laid down their weapons to embrace the state government amnesty program. This move did not just happen by chance; it is the result of months of quiet negotiations and a clear signal that the youths are finally ready to trade their guns for a chance at a normal life.
As an editor, seeing this level of voluntary surrender tells me that the strategy of “carrot and stick” is starting to yield the right kind of fruits for our people.
Massive surrender from the camps of Ayibanuagha and the Border Boys.
The breakthrough happened in the early hours of Friday, January 16, 2026, when fighters from two major camps emerged from the shadows of the Akpabuyo Local Government Area. The first group, led by ThankGod Ebikontei, who is widely known as Ayibanuagha, brought out 39 fighters.
They were closely followed by the “Akpokolo Marine Forces” or “Border Boys,” led by John Isaac, who presented 41 men. These were not just random boys from the street; these were organized groups that had been operating in the creeks for quite some time.
To see them walk out of the Atimbo Rear Area and submit themselves to the authorities is a huge win for the peace of the state and the safety of the residents who have long lived in the shadow of militant activities.
Dangerous weapons and military kits recovered from the creeks
The sheer amount of hardware these boys brought out is enough to make any security expert take a deep breath. According to the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the cache included everything from AK-47 rifles and pump action guns to explosives and speed boats. They even surrendered a G3 rifle, magazines, and a significant amount of NATO grade ammunition. It is sobering to think about the kind of damage these weapons could have caused if they remained in the wrong hands.
The Commander of the 13 Brigade, Brigadier General Alimikhena, correctly noted that this voluntary surrender is a “confidence building milestone.” It proves that when the military works hand in hand with the state government, we can create an environment where even the most hardened fighters feel it is safe enough to come home.
Profiling and reintegration as the next steps for a lasting peace
Now that the guns are silent, the real work of transformation has begun. The 80 former militants have been handed over to the Rapid Response Team of the Cross River State Government and are currently undergoing profiling by the Department of State Services at a facility in Calabar.
This is the stage where we separate the boys from the men and ensure that they receive the right kind of psychological and vocational support to stay away from crime forever. Governor Bassey Otu deserves credit for his unwavering commitment to this peace process, as it is much cheaper to reintegrate a youth than to fight a war in the creeks.
As we move forward, the hope of every Nigerian is that this breakthrough in Cross River will serve as a template for other states to follow, showing that peace is always possible when we choose dialogue over bullets.
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