Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
More than a week after the abduction of 15 passengers by suspected sea pirates along the Calabar–Oron waterways, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, in a coordinated joint operation with operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has claimed the successful rescue of all 14 victims.
A statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, released on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, stated that the release of the hostages was secured following sustained intelligence-driven efforts and robust inter-agency collaboration. “Acting on credible intelligence, joint operatives intensified surveillance and launched targeted operations across identified flashpoints, culminating in the safe rescue of all victims without any loss of life,” John said. According to the statement, the rescued victims are currently undergoing medical evaluation and treatment, alongside necessary debriefing, before being reunited with their families.
The ordeal, which unfolded on April 17, 2026, sent shockwaves through the region. According to earlier police reports, suspected pirates ambushed and attacked a passenger boat while it was heading from Calabar to Oron, reportedly whisking away over 20 people. Authorities later revised the number of abducted individuals to 15. Among them were students and young travelers en route to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Akwa Ibom State.
The incident immediately drew the attention of top security officials. The Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone 6, AIG Auwal Musa Mohammed, issued a marching order for both the Cross River and Akwa Ibom State Police Commissioners to deploy all available resources to ensure the swift and safe release of the victims. The AIG also directed the sister commands to temporarily set aside jurisdictional limitations and take all necessary measures to rescue the victims and hunt down the perpetrators.
The involvement of the EFCC in a rescue operation is unusual, but the commission has previously employed its intelligence-gathering capabilities to support security agencies in non-financial emergencies. A police source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that the agency’s expertise in tracking financial transactions and monitoring criminal networks proved valuable in locating the hideouts of the kidnappers.
The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the professionalism, synergy, and operational efficiency demonstrated by personnel of both agencies. “He noted that the success recorded underscores the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in addressing complex security challenges,” the statement read. According to the police, efforts have been intensified to track down and apprehend the perpetrators. “The Command assures the public that all those involved will be identified and brought to justice,” the statement added, while warning criminal elements to desist from all forms of illegal activities or face decisive and coordinated action from law enforcement.
However, the official version of events has been met with denial from the Cross River State Government. On April 21, 2026, the state government issued a statement dismissing police claims that the abduction took place on the official Calabar–Oron waterway. A statement from the Department of Marine Services signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Marine Services, Capt. Otu Ita Otu, claimed that the boat deviated from the approved route and took an unregulated shortcut not recognised within the state’s maritime transport corridor. The government also maintained that it had no record of an attack, having been on a marine patrol on the same route alongside the State Security Adviser at the time. The Captain noted that vessels operating on the official route are required to pass through at least five marine security checkpoints strategically positioned to ensure passenger safety before arrival at Oron.
The Calabar–Oron waterway has a long and grim history of piracy and kidnapping. The intricate network of creeks and mangroves provides cover for armed groups who attack passenger ferries and demand ransom. In recent years, the route has gained notoriety for these attacks, which have severely disrupted economic activity and travel between the two states.
CP Azare has reassured residents, maritime operators, and the general public of enhanced security presence along the waterways and has urged continued cooperation through the provision of timely and credible information. The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has declared its unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property across all domains.
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