Gunmen have abducted 15 passengers during a pirate attack on a ferry along the Calabar-Oron waterways in Cross River State.
Police authorities confirmed that the incident occurred on April 16, 2026, as the victims were travelling by boat from Calabar to Oron in Akwa Ibom State.
Spokesman of Police Zone 6 Command, Jefferson Osupe, disclosed that the passengers were forcefully taken by the attackers during the assault.
Following the incident, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 6, Auwal Mohammed, ordered an “immediate and sustained joint security operation” to secure the victims’ release.
He directed the Commissioners of Police in Cross River State, Rashid Afegbua, and Akwa Ibom State, Baba Azare, “to immediately activate a robust, intelligence-driven, and coordinated interstate security framework aimed at the swift rescue of the victims and the apprehension of all perpetrators.”
“The directive emphasises 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 statement read in part.
Mohammed also instructed security agencies to set aside jurisdictional boundaries and deploy all available resources toward the operation, stressing that rescuing the abducted passengers remains a top priority.
He warned that the perpetrators would be pursued relentlessly until they are brought to justice, while condemning the attack.
The AIG reassured residents and maritime operators in the affected states of the police’s commitment to protecting lives and property. He urged members of the public to remain calm and report suspicious activities, particularly in coastal and riverine areas.
“Furthermore, 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,” he said.
“The Zone assures that there will be no safe haven for criminals within Zone 6.”
