Police launch rescue operation for 15 abducted on Calabar–Oron waterway

Security forces in Nigeria have launched a comprehensive operation to rescue 15 passengers who were abducted by gunmen on the Calabar–Oron waterway. The incident occurred on Friday when the ferry, en route from Calabar in Cross River State to Oron in Akwa Ibom State, was ambushed. The Nigerian Police, in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom Command and the Navy, are actively engaged in search-and-rescue and tactical operations.

Authorities have vowed to ensure the safe recovery of the victims and swiftly apprehend the perpetrators. A naval officer, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the ferry was ambushed by armed individuals. This waterway is a vital inland maritime corridor, serving as a critical alternative route for both passengers and goods connecting Cross River and Akwa Ibom states. Its strategic importance, however, is increasingly overshadowed by rising insecurity.

In recent years, the Calabar–Oron waterway has unfortunately gained a reputation for piracy, kidnappings, and armed assaults on passenger ferries. The challenging geography, characterized by a complex network of creeks and mangroves, provides ample cover for criminal elements. This latest abduction underscores the persistent security challenges faced in the region and the urgent need for enhanced maritime security measures to protect commuters and ensure the safety of this essential trade and travel route.

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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,”