April 20, (THEWILL) — Gunmen on Friday ambushed a passenger ferry travelling along the Calabar–Oron waterways, abducting 15 passengers in a brazen attack that has heightened concerns over security on Nigeria’s inland water routes.
The ferry, which departed Calabar in Cross River State en route to Oron in Akwa Ibom State, was intercepted mid-journey by armed assailants who seized the victims and fled through the creeks, according to security sources.
Confirming the incident on Monday, the Cross River State Police Command said a coordinated search-and-rescue operation is currently underway to secure the safe release of the abducted passengers and apprehend those responsible.
Spokesperson of the Command, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, stated that the operation involves close collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Police Command and the Nigerian Navy, reflecting an escalated response to the attack.
“The Command is working in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom Command and the Navy. Coordinated search-and-rescue and tactical operations are currently ongoing to ensure the safe recovery of the victims and the swift apprehension of the perpetrators”, he said.
A naval officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the attackers struck while the ferry was in transit, indicating a planned ambush and raising fresh concerns about the vulnerability of commuters along the busy waterway.
The Calabar–Oron route remains a critical link for economic and social activities between Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, and the attack has once again drawn attention to persistent security gaps in the riverine transport system.
In response, security agencies have intensified patrols and surveillance across the waterways, deploying naval assets and leveraging local intelligence to track the movement of the gunmen within the creeks.
Authorities say the ongoing joint operation underscores a renewed commitment to tackling maritime crime, with assurances that efforts are being sustained to ensure the victims are rescued unharmed.
Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and support security agencies with credible information that could aid the operation, as officials express cautious optimism that the perpetrators will be apprehended and the abducted passengers safely recovered.
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