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Ukorebi Esien | Janueary 3, 2026
CALABAR — In a landmark peace initiative aimed at curbing violent crime, several cult and gang groups in Calabar formally signed a peace pact and took a public oath renouncing violence, kidnapping, gangsterism, and other criminal conduct earlier this week. The event, organized by the Homeland Safety and Security Agency, brought together community leaders, security officials, and representatives of groups historically linked to violent activities in the Cross River State capital.
The gathering began with a peace walk through key parts of Calabar, signalling a collective commitment to ending criminality and restoring safety in neighbourhoods long affected by cult clashes and other insecurity. After the procession, the group leaders signed the peace pact and took a solemn oath affirming their dedication to peace and lawful conduct.
Addressing the audience, Michael Orok Nsan, Director-South of the Homeland Safety and Security Agency, said the initiative was part of broader efforts to consolidate peace and improve the security landscape across the state.
"We are delighted and grateful to God Almighty… to thank everybody for honouring the invitation for this peace walk," Nsan said, expressing optimism that the accord would foster stability and boost investor confidence in Cross River.
Nsan explained that the pact involved groups previously associated with internal and external conflicts, including violent clashes, kidnapping and gangsterism, and was designed to formally commit them to peaceful conduct.
"At this point, I will be administering the oath to all the families represented by their heads," he said before inviting them forward for the oath-taking ceremony.
During the oath segment, representatives pledged to uphold principles of integrity, transparency, accountability, and unity; respect citizens' rights; and abstain from violence, illegal activities and discrimination. The agreement also includes accountability provisions, warning that failure to honour the terms could result in withdrawal of government recognition and other consequences.
Describing the pact as akin to an amnesty framework, Nsan noted that the signatories had renounced their involvement in cult activism and agreed not to engage in internal or external conflicts, kidnappings, or violent disputes over revenue sources.
Representing Governor Bassey Otu, the Special Adviser on Forensic and Intelligence, Chief Koko Henshaw, reiterated that the peace walk and pact were part of ongoing efforts, not one-off events, to sustain peace in the state.
"We are not here for luxury. This peace walk is going to be a continuous process, and all hands must be on deck… Peace is very cheap. We are all ambassadors of peace," Henshaw said, adding that cult-related activities and kidnappings had seen a decline under the current administration's security coordination efforts.
When questioned about whether engaging previously violent groups might be seen as incentivising criminality, Nsan defended the approach, stating that past reliance on force alone had not yielded the desired results and that the new strategy sought inclusive engagement alongside law enforcement cooperation.
He disclosed that some individuals involved are also receiving training in agriculture and other skills as part of reintegration efforts, underlining the state's commitment to addressing the root causes of violence and providing alternatives to crime.
Also speaking at the event, Felix William Arikpo, Director-Central of the Homeland Safety and Security Agency, emphasised that addressing cultism and communal violence is a long-term, gradual process that requires sustained collaboration between security agencies, community stakeholders, and the signatory groups.
The organizers said the peace walk and signing marked the closing of annual activities and would be followed by further engagements to maintain harmony throughout Cross River State.
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