At least 15 passengers have been kidnapped by gunmen following a pirate attack along the waterways linking Calabar and Oron.
The victims were reportedly taken on April 16, 2026, while travelling by boat from Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, to Oron in Akwa Ibom State.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of Police Zone 6, Jefferson Osupe, said the abduction occurred during a coordinated attack on the vessel.
In response, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 6, Auwal Mohammed, has ordered an immediate joint security operation to rescue the victims and track down the perpetrators.
Commissioners of Police in both states have been directed to implement a “robust, intelligence-driven and coordinated interstate security framework” aimed at ensuring the safe return of the abductees and arrest of those responsible.
The operation will involve collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies to strengthen surveillance across the waterways and dismantle criminal networks operating in the region.
Authorities assured residents and maritime operators of intensified efforts to restore safety, urging the public to remain calm and report any suspicious movements, especially in riverine communities.