Gunmen have abducted 15 passengers during a pirate-style attack on a ferry along the Calabar–Oron waterways in Cross River State.
The victims were reportedly seized on April 16, 2026, while travelling from Calabar, the state capital, to Oron in neighbouring Akwa Ibom State.
Police authorities confirmed the incident, sparking a swift security response across the region.
According to Jefferson Osupe, spokesperson of the Zone 6 Command of the Nigeria Police Force, the attack prompted an urgent directive from the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the zone, Auwal Mohammed.
Mohammed has ordered an immediate joint security operation involving police commands in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
The Commissioners of Police — Rashid Afegbua (Cross River) and Baba Azare (Akwa Ibom) — have been tasked with deploying a coordinated, intelligence-led strategy to rescue the victims and track down the attackers.
The operation will involve collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies to tighten control over the waterways and dismantle criminal networks operating in the area.
Authorities say all jurisdictional barriers have been removed to ensure seamless cooperation between security forces.
“The rescue of the abductees remains an operational priority,” Mohammed said, warning that those behind the attack would be pursued until justice is served.
He also reassured residents and maritime operators of the command’s commitment to safety, urging the public to stay calm and report suspicious movements, especially in riverine communities.
Police say updates will be communicated as operations progress to maintain public trust and prevent panic.
