Photo: Cross River militants surrender arms | Photo: @HQNigerianArmy on X

80 militants voluntarily emerged from the creeks in Akpabuyo LGA of Cross River State and surrendered their arms to the Nigerian Army under the state government’s amnesty programme.

This was disclosed on Friday by Yemi Sokoya, assistant director, army public relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade.

Sokoya said that the surrender took place at Atimbo rear area, Operation Okwok, adding that the militants sprung from two separate camps.

He said that the first camp, led by ThankGod Ebikontei, also known as Ayibanuagha, presented 39 fighters, while the second camp, headed by John Isaac, also known as Akpokolo, surrendered 41 fighters.

The second group is popularly known as the Akpokolo Marine Forces or Border Boys, according to the army.

Sokoya said the militants also surrendered a cache of arms, ammunition, and other items during the exercise.

“These included three AK-47 rifles, two pump action guns, one Mark 4 rifle, one G3 rifle, twelve single-barrel guns, ten AK-47 magazines, three speed boats, four boat house power engines, one C4 charge explosive, nineteen rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, and eighty-four DENGUN cartridges, as well as other assorted military kits, tools, locally fabricated weapons, and accessories,” he said.

Sokoya said that the militants were handed to the Rapid Response team of the Cross River State government after the exercise, and are currently undergoing profiling by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Muka Sam Hotel, Ikot Ansa, Calabar.

Zion Idibia, the second son of Nigerian music icon Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has matriculated at Pan-Atlantic University.

Sumbo Adeoye, his mother, disclosed this on her Instagram page on Saturday.

Adeoye wrote, “Today, my second son begins his journey in finance… Admitted, you earned it, son. Congratulations on your matriculation. Greater works ahead in Jesus’ name.”

Zion is one of the two sons Adeoye shares with the singer. The other is Nino.

Adeoye is known as 2Baba’s first baby mama, with whom he had the two children before their relationship ended around 2009 following revelations of his involvement with other women.

•2Baba’s baby mama, Sumbo Adeoye and son, Zion. Photo credit: Adeoye/Instagram

Says he was a courageous servant of God

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sorrow at the passing of Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, the Chief Imam of Nghar village in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, who passed away at 92.

The late Imam Abubakar shot into national and international prominence for hiding over 200 Christians in 2018, during the communal strife which ravaged Plateau State.

President Tinubu described the late Imam as an extraordinary religious leader, whose lifetime represented a striking testament to faith, courage and a staunch belief in the sacredness of human life.

“At such a time when tribal and religious tendencies seemed to overwhelm reason, Imam Abubakar stood firmly on the side of peace, benevolence and conscience,” President Tinubu remarked.

“Mindless of the enormous risk to his own life, the noble cleric chose humanity over division, love as opposed to hatred and embrace rather than rejection.

His heroic feat underlines the essence of true faith, resonating louder than sermons in a salient message to the world at large. Imam Abubakar is a worthy example of a better human we should all aspire to be,” the President said.

“His act of uncommon bravery did not go unnoticed, as he received local and international honours that celebrated his commitment to coexistence among people with diverse orientations.”

I urge religious and community leaders to imbibe and preach the spirit of tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful togetherness as expounded in the life of Imam Abubakar.

“May the Almighty grant Imam Abubakar eternal rest and reward him for his good deeds and courage,” the President said. ‎