Navy Destroys Militant Hideout in Cross River Coastal Community

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) VICTORY has dismantled a hideout allegedly used by militants in the Ine Ikoridung coastal settlement within Cross River State. This action was prompted by intelligence indicating the group had relocated to the area following intensified pressure from security forces in their previous locations.

Lieutenant-Commander Sulaiman Bala, the Base Information Officer for NNS VICTORY, confirmed the operation in a statement released in Calabar on Monday. He reported that the suspects fled upon the arrival of naval gunboats, resulting in no arrests. The raid is part of ongoing offensive operations targeting suspected militant groups operating in the Dayspring axis.

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Accordingly, NNS VICTORY patrol gunboats stormed the settlement, cordoned off the area and conducted thorough searches of identified huts where intelligence indicated the militants were residing.

Naval patrol gunboats cordoned off the settlement and conducted thorough searches of identified huts believed to be occupied by the militants. During the search, troops recovered several items, including five empty cartridges, a military camouflage vest, a police camouflage vest, a military pullover, and a military jungle hat. Additionally, a notebook containing records of previously arrested suspected militant fighters and their correctional facility details was found.

Following the search, the identified huts were destroyed to prevent their future use as a hideout by criminal elements. Bala assured the public that the Navy would maintain sustained pressure on these miscreants to ensure complete security restoration in the state's maritime environment. The relocation of militants to this remote community underscores the impact of sustained military operations in limiting their activities elsewhere.

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The Nigerian Navy Ship VICTORY will continue to sustain maximum pressure on the miscreants until total security is restored to the maritime environment.