Gunmen have abducted at least 15 passengers travelling on a boat along the Calabar–Oron waterway in Cross River State, in another incident highlighting growing insecurity on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
Gatekeepers News reports that the attack occurred on Friday when the victims were travelling aboard a commercial “Sea Express” boat from Calabar, the Cross River State capital, to Oron in neighbouring Akwa Ibom State.
Security authorities have since launched efforts to rescue the victims. The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 6 reportedly directed police commands in both Cross River and Akwa Ibom states to work together to secure the release of those abducted.
Police also confirmed the incident and said they are collaborating with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies in an ongoing search-and-rescue operation.
Calabar–Oron waterway is a major transport route frequently used by travellers due to the poor condition of some road networks in the region. However, it has increasingly become a hotspot for attacks, piracy, and kidnappings in recent years.
This latest abduction adds to a series of similar incidents on the same route, raising fresh concerns over the safety of passengers who rely on water transport in the South-South region.
