The Cross River State Police Command has confirmed that 15 passengers were abducted by sea pirates while travelling on a commercial boat from Calabar to Oron on Friday.
Police spokesperson ASP Sunday Eitokpah said on Monday that security agencies are working jointly to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.
“The command is collaborating closely with the Akwa Ibom State Police Command as well as the Nigerian Navy in coordinated search-and-rescue operations.
“As we speak, tactical operations to secure the safe recovery of the victims and the arrest of the perpetrators are ongoing,” Eitokpah stated.
The confirmation supports earlier reports that armed attackers ambushed the boat along the Calabar waterways, abducting multiple passengers at gunpoint. Some of those taken were believed to be students travelling to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
While the exact number of victims remains unclear, the incident has heightened concerns about safety on the busy water route, especially for candidates travelling for national examinations.
Security agencies have continued search-and-rescue operations, as stakeholders call for stronger measures to secure the Calabar–Oron corridor and prevent further attacks.
