Fear gripped travellers on the Calabar–Oron route as suspected sea pirates swooped on a passenger boat and whisked away 17 people in a daring daylight attack.
The incident occurred along the busy Calabar Waterways, a vital marine corridor linking Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
Police spokesperson SP Irene Ugbo confirmed the abduction, describing the assault as “unfortunate and deeply worrying.”
According to her, the passengers were en route to Oron when heavily armed gunmen intercepted their vessel midstream. The attackers reportedly forced the boat to a halt, ordered everyone off, and ferried their captives into a waiting speedboat before speeding off toward the creeks.
Although initial reports placed the number of abducted passengers at 12, eyewitnesses and local marine operators insist that at least 17 people remain unaccounted for.
Security operatives are working to reconcile the figures as investigations intensify.
The Cross River Police Command says a combined team of marine police, the Nigerian Navy, and other security agencies has begun a coordinated search of the surrounding waterways to track the kidnappers and rescue the victims.
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“We are on their trail and will not rest until the passengers are safely reunited with their families,” Ugbo assured.
The attack highlights the growing threat of maritime crime along Nigeria’s coastal and riverine transport routes.
For years, the Calabar–Oron waterway has served as a lifeline for traders and commuters seeking faster passage between the two states, but intermittent pirate raids have raised fresh concerns about passenger safety.
Residents and travellers are calling on both state and federal authorities to beef up marine patrols and provide better surveillance equipment to deter further attacks.
As the search continues, anxious relatives of the abducted passengers are keeping vigil, hoping for swift action to bring their loved ones home.
