Uyo, Nigeria
Panic has gripped riverine communities in southern Nigeria after gunmen abducted 15 passengers travelling along the Calabar–Oron waterway.
The attack, which occurred on Friday, targeted a commercial Sea Express boat conveying passengers from Calabar, the Cross River State capital, to Oron in neighbouring Akwa Ibom State.
Eyewitness accounts indicate the assailants struck mid-journey, leaving other commuters shaken and raising fresh concerns about security on inland waterways.
Responding to the incident, Auwal Mohammed, assistant inspector general (AIG) of police in charge of Zone 6, has ordered an urgent, joint security operation to rescue the victims and track down the perpetrators.
According to a statement by the zonal police spokesperson, Jefferson Osupe, the AIG directed commissioners of police in Cross River and Akwa Ibom to immediately deploy a “robust, intelligence-driven, and coordinated inter-state security framework.”
The directive also mandates close collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies, signalling a multi-agency crackdown aimed at ensuring the safe return of the abducted passengers.
Mohammed further instructed security operatives to set aside jurisdictional barriers and fully deploy tactical and intelligence operations across both states.
He said: “I condemn this attack on innocent Nigerians in strong terms,” the AIG said, assuring residents and maritime operators that the police remain “resolute, proactive, and fully committed to safeguarding lives and property.”
He also called on the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements, especially in coastal and riverine communities.
Why this report matters:
This latest abduction highlights growing security vulnerabilities along Nigeria’s inland waterways, routes heavily relied upon for commerce and daily travel. For many residents, the Calabar–Oron corridor is not just a route, but an important maritime and economic lifeline and support for local livelihoods and the national economy.
As rescue efforts intensify, affected families—and the wider public—are watching closely, hoping for swift action and safe returns.
Stay with #DailyAgent for verified updates on the rescue operation and security developments across Nigeria.
