The Cross River State Government is insistent that militants in the state must surrender their arms and ammunition, abandon activities that constantly threaten the peace and security of the state, in other for them to live a better life.
CR State Security Adviser, Ubi Obono, a retired Major General, made the position of the state government clear in Calabar, when he handed over a cache of arms, ammunition and offensive weapons, recovered from militants of the Bakassi Defence Forces, BDF, to Effiok Martins Obot, a retired Major General and South South Zonal Coordinator, National Control Of Small Arms And Light Weapons.
Obono disclosed that, in her pursuit of peace, the state government has opened a window of opportunity especially for militants, to surrender and be rehabilitated, stressing that those who refuse to positively respond will have only themselves to blame when the full weight of the law comes down on them. He additionally urged other category of persons who illegally possess unauthorized arms and ammunition to turn them in to avoid any confrontation with law enforcement agents.
“We have come to the point where these militants have given up arms and seek integration into the law abiding society because of our sustained advocacy. We are not weak, we can use our security agencies along this path successfully, but we are giving the militants an opportunity to step forward and be counted, to have the guarantee of a good life”, Obono said.
Obot, who responded immediately, thanked the SSA and his team for making it possible for some militants of the BDF militants to voluntarily surrendered their arms and ammunitions to the state government, choosing to tow the path of peace. He assured the CRSG that his office will continue to partner the state as she works to rid the state of militants and their negative activities. Earlier, a select group of journalists and individuals, witnessed the arrival of the militants from their hideout in the creeks to Calabar and the immediate surrender of arms to government.