Personnel of the Nigerian Navy have conducted another successful raid on militant hideouts on Dayspring Island in Cross River State, confiscating ten outboard boat engines belonging to the miscreants. The operation, carried out over the weekend in collaboration with troops of the Nigerian Army 13 Brigade, targeted the camp of a notorious militant known as “Juju” in the Idung axis of the island. Two boats fitted with outboard engines were seized, while Juju managed to flee. The camp was subsequently burnt down.
Restrictions and Security Measures
The Navy had previously imposed a 13-hour restriction on maritime movement from 5:00 pm to 6:00 am to prevent militants from operating with impunity, engaging in kidnappings, and extorting riverine communities along the Calabar–Oron waterways. Additionally, a forward security outpost was established at Idung 1 (Peacock Crossing) as part of efforts to maintain continuous pressure on identified militant enclaves within the island.
Continued Operations
In a statement released on Tuesday, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho confirmed that troops are maintaining continuous pressure across identified militant enclaves within the island. “In a related operation based on fresh intelligence, troops advanced into a creek near Akpamfi, where additional militant logistics had been concealed. On sighting advancing naval personnel, the militants fled, abandoning two fibre boats and one 200-horsepower outboard engine. The equipment was confiscated and towed to the naval security outpost,” he said.
Folorunsho emphasized that these sustained operations are part of a deliberate effort to dismantle the logistics backbone of militant groups. “Fibre boats and high-powered outboard engines remain critical enablers of their criminal activities across the waterways,” he added.
Impact of the Offensive
According to the Navy captain, the continued offensive has significantly degraded the operational capability of the militants, restricted their movement, and denied them safe havens within the island. He stated that the Navy remains resolute in sustaining the pressure and will continue follow-up operations until all criminal elements are completely flushed out and the waterways are secured for legitimate activities.
