Anonymous ‘Families’ Take Oath to End Violence, Kidnapping, Gangsterism in Cross River

By Efio-Ita Nyok, NEGROIDHAVEN

Heads of several unnamed groups earlier this week took an oath and signed a peace accord renouncing violence, kidnapping, gangsterism and other criminal activities in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

The event was organised by the Homeland Safety and Security Agency and featured a peace walk, public oath-taking, and the signing of a peace accord by group heads described by officials as entities previously associated with violent activities within the state.

Speaking at the event, Michael Orok Nsan, Director –South, of the Homeland Safety and Security Agency, said the initiative was aimed at consolidating peace and improving security across the state.

“We are delighted and grateful to God Almighty, first of all, for fair weather and also to thank everybody for honouring the invitation for this peace walk,” Nsan said. He credited the state government with efforts at maintaining peace and order, adding that improved security would help build investor confidence.

According to him, the peace accord involved groups that had previously perpetuated internal and external conflicts, including clashes, kidnapping, gangsterism and other forms of violence. He said the agreement was designed to formally commit them to peace.

“At this point, I will be administering the oath to all the families represented by their heads,” Nsan announced, inviting the groups heads forward for the exercise.

During the oath-taking, representatives of some cult groups pledged to serve “with integrity, transparency and accountability,” to promote unity and peace, respect the rights of citizens, and refrain from violence, discrimination and illegal activities. The oath also stated that failure to comply could result in the withdrawal of government recognition and other consequences.

After the signing of the accord, Nsan described the process as similar to an amnesty programme.

“This one is more like an agreement between all the families involved,” he said. “They have renounced their activism and participation in cult activities. They have signed a document that they will not have (an) internal crisis, (an) external crisis, they will not kidnap people, they will not kill themselves or fight over revenue points.”

He added that the government planned to establish a joint intelligence committee and a database to work with the groups, saying this would help security agencies obtain first-hand information and sustain peace in the state.

Representing Governor Bassey Otu, the Special Adviser on Forensic and Intelligence, Chief Koko Henshaw, said the peace walk was part of a continuous security process.

“We are not here for luxury. This peace walk is going to be a continuous process and all hands must be on deck,” he said. “Peace is very cheap. We are all ambassadors of peace.”

Henshaw said the government had recorded a decline in cult-related activities and kidnapping since the current administration took office, attributing this to what he described as improved security coordination.

When asked whether the engagement between government and the unnamed groups amounted to incentivising violent groups, Nsan defended the approach, saying previous reliance on force alone had not yielded desired results.

“Before now, when the government did not identify or try to bring them out, there were incessant killings and clashes,” he said. “Now they have signed an agreement, taken an oath, and submitted themselves to law enforcement.”

He added that some of the individuals involved were being trained in agriculture and other skills as part of reintegration efforts.

Also speaking, Felix William Arikpo, Director –Central, of Homeland Security, said the peace walk was aimed at addressing cultism and communal crises across the state, particularly during farming seasons when conflicts often occur.

“This is not something you do in one day. It’s a gradual process,” Arikpo said, adding that security agencies were working to prevent future clashes.

The organisers said the peace walk marked the end of the year’s activities and would be followed by further engagements to sustain peace across Cross River state.