Gunmen Abduct 15 Passengers on Calabar-Oron Waterway Ferry
In a distressing incident, approximately 15 passengers travelling from Calabar to Oron have been abducted by armed gunmen along the Calabar waterways. The attack occurred on Friday when the assailants ambushed a ferry carrying the passengers, according to anonymous sources at Safe Anchor Beach in Calabar.
As of the latest reports, the exact number of victims remains unclear, and it is uncertain whether any of those abducted were students en route to sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination. The Calabar–Oron waterway has increasingly become a hotspot for such abductions, with criminals frequently targeting travellers on this route.
Despite the persistent risks, many commuters continue to use the waterway as an alternative to the poor condition of the Calabar–Itu Road, highlighting the ongoing challenges in regional transportation safety.
Police and Navy Launch Coordinated Rescue Operations
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, stated that although the abduction did not occur within his jurisdiction, authorities are working closely with the Akwa Ibom State Police Command and the Nigerian Navy. He emphasized that coordinated search-and-rescue and tactical operations are currently underway to ensure the safe recovery of the victims and the swift apprehension of the perpetrators.
In response to the recent pirate attack on a passenger ferry along the Calabar-Oron waterways on April 16, 2026, which also resulted in 15 abductions, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 6, Calabar, Auwal Musa Mohammed, has ordered immediate and sustained joint security operations.
Enhanced Security Measures and Public Reassurance
The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Jefferson Osupe, issued a statement on behalf of the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 6 headquarters, mandating the Commissioners of Police in Cross River State, Rashid Afegbua, and his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Baba Mohammed Azare, to activate a robust, intelligence-driven, and coordinated inter-state security framework. This initiative aims to swiftly rescue the victims and apprehend all perpetrators involved in the abduction.
The directive underscores seamless collaboration between both State Commands, in synergy with the Nigerian Navy and other relevant security agencies, to dominate the waterways, dismantle criminal networks, and restore confidence in maritime safety across the zone. The AIG charged the Commissioners of Police to set aside all jurisdictional limitations and operational boundaries, deploying all available tactical and intelligence assets towards achieving this mission.
He stressed that the rescue of the abducted victims remains a top operational priority and warned that the command will pursue the perpetrators relentlessly until justice is served. While condemning the attack, the AIG reassured residents and maritime operators in both states that the Nigeria Police Force under Zone 6 remains resolute, proactive, and fully committed to safeguarding lives and property.
He urged the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and to promptly report any suspicious activities, particularly along coastal and riverine communities. The Zone 6 Headquarters reiterated its commitment to transparency and timely communication as operations progress, in order to sustain public trust and mitigate undue tension, assuring that there will be no safe haven for criminals within Zone 6.
