The Cross River State Command of the Police confirmed the abduction of 17 passengers by suspected seapirates on the Calabar–Oron waterway.
The abduction occurred on Thursday when armed men commandeered a commercial boat belonging to Sea Express Limited with about 30 passengers, all from Calabar in Cross River State, to Oron in Akwa Ibom State.
Deputy Police Public Relations Officer DSP Igri Ewa said security agents are taking actions to secure the release of the victims.
“We are aware of the abduction and are doing everything within our powers to rescue the victims. Their kidnappers have yet to be contacted. Patrol gunboats have been dispatched in pursuit of the assailants and for the rescue of the victims,” he further added.
Ewa also said that a joint security operation between the Marine Police and other stakeholders is ongoing to locate and rescue those abducted.
The latest attack is in line with a sinister trend of growing piracy and kidnappings on Nigeria’s southern waters:
April 5, 2025 – Five travelers were kidnapped along the Degema–Akuku-Toru route in Rivers State.
April 18, 2025 – 20 passengers were kidnapped along the Akwa Ibom–Cross River waterways for a ransom of ₦100 million.
September 2024 – 10 passengers were kidnapped by suspected pirates along the Bonny waterways in Rivers State.
The ongoing cases have caused fresh alarm over maritime insecurity and fresh calls for more patrols and security to protect passengers on the nation’s waterways.
