Army backs Cross River’s ‘Unite Against Terror’ security summit

From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar

The Nigerian Army has pledged full support for the 2026 Cross River State Security Summit as senior commanders of the 13 Brigade met with the Central Planning Committee (CPC) ahead of the event, themed “Unite Against Terror.”

Chairman of the CPC, Beatrice Akpala, paid separate solidarity visits to the Commander of the 13 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. P.O. Alimikhena, and the Commander of the 13 Brigade Garrison, Lt.-Col. Beshibeshebe Martins Ukpen, in Calabar.

The visits formed part of strategic consultations ahead of the summit, which is aimed at strengthening the state’s collective response to emerging security threats.

Speaking during the engagements, Akpala conveyed the goodwill of the Cross River State Governor and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to peace, security and sustainable development.

She said the summit would provide a platform for security experts, government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, youth groups and development partners to deliberate on practical solutions to contemporary security challenges.

In their separate remarks, Brig.-Gen. Alimikhena and Lt.-Col. Ukpen described the summit as “timely and necessary” in view of the country’s evolving security challenges.

They reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s readiness to collaborate with the Cross River State Government and the CPC to ensure the success of the summit and deepen security cooperation.

Akpala stressed that the success of the summit would depend largely on the active participation of the military and other security agencies whose sacrifices continue to safeguard lives and property.

The 2026 Cross River State Security Summit is expected to bring together top military commanders, heads of security agencies, policymakers, academics and citizens to chart a sustainable path towards a safer Cross River State.