Militant group begs military for amnesty, returns weapons

Members of the Bakassi Strike Force, one of the militant groups operating in the Akwa-Ibom and Cross River States of the Niger Delta have reached out to the authorities of the Department of State Service expressing their readiness to stop further hostilities on oil facilities and accept amnesty.

This followed series of military attacks on suspected hideouts in the two states which had led to the arrest of several members of the militant group while some reportedly lost their lives during gun battles with soldiers.

According to a statement released by the Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre of Operation Delta Safe, Lt Col. Olaolu Marcellinus Daudu on Wednesday, said the militant group through their leader, Benjamin Ene, had already turned in a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and an AK 47 rifle to signify the group’s readiness.

It read, “Following consistent successful operation against militants and criminals by Operation DELTA SAFE, available information from Sector 4 in Cross River State indicates that Bakassi Strike Force militants, led by one Mr Benjamin Ene has expressed unreserved willingness to lay down arms and have contacted the Department of State Service in Cross River State through the State Government’s appointed rapporteur on amnesty to signify their readiness to hold talks on amnesty with the relevant authorities.

“To buttress this demonstration of goodwill, BSF turned in one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and an AK 47 rifle.  The Department of State Service representatives and representatives of the rappoteur have since recovered the arms as talks are ongoing on modalities to surrender their remaining arms.”

Dauda also disclosed in the statement that troops during an encounter with suspected sea robbers killed one suspect while two were wounded and seven other members of the group were apprehended around Kumfari Community near Idama in Rivers State.

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