Gunmen have abducted 15 passengers during a pirate attack on a ferry travelling along the Calabar–Oron waterways in Cross River State.
The victims were said to have been seized while onboard a boat departing from Calabar, the Cross River State capital, en route to Oron in neighbouring Akwa Ibom State.
Police authorities confirmed that the incident occurred on April 16, 2026, raising fresh concerns over security along Nigeria’s riverine transport routes.
Spokesman of Police Zone 6 Command, Jefferson Osupe, disclosed the development, noting that the passengers were taken hostage during the attack.
Following the incident, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 6, Auwal Mohammed, ordered an immediate and coordinated security response aimed at rescuing the abducted passengers.
He directed the Commissioners of Police in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States Rashid Afegbua and Baba Azare respectively to activate an intelligence-led operation in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies.
According to the directive, the joint operation is expected to ensure sustained surveillance of waterways, dismantle criminal networks, and secure the safe rescue of the victims.
The police command stressed the need for full cooperation between security formations across both states, warning that operational boundaries must not hinder the mission.
The police also reaffirmed that the rescue of the abducted passengers remains a top priority, with security forces mandated to pursue the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
The Command condemned the attack, assuring residents and maritime operators that efforts are ongoing to restore safety and confidence on the waterways.
It urged members of the public to remain calm and report any suspicious movements, especially within coastal and riverine communities.
“The Nigeria Police Force will ensure there is no safe haven for criminals within the zone,” the statement added.
Security agencies continue search and rescue operations as investigations into the attack progress.
