Gunmen abduct 15 passengers from boat along Calabar–Oron waterways
By: Zagazola Makama
Gunmen have abducted 15 passengers from a commercial speedboat along the Calabar–Oron waterways in Akwa Ibom State.
Sources said the incident occurred on April 18 at about 7:10 p.m. along the Eso Ekpo waterways shortly after the boat departed Calabar en route Oron.
According to the sources, the victim, Christian Etim Essien, who reported the incident, said he boarded the speedboat alongside 21 other passengers when the driver, identified simply as Arikpo, stopped midstream and handed over control to another individual already onboard before departing in a separate boat.
The sources said about 10 minutes later, a white speedboat carrying five armed men emerged from a nearby creek, intercepted the passenger boat and forcefully abducted 15 passengers at gunpoint.
They added that the assailants took the victims to an unknown destination, while the remaining passengers were left unharmed.
The police said the Commissioner of Police had directed tactical teams and marine operatives to collaborate with counterparts in Cross River State to secure the safe release of the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
They noted that investigations were ongoing, while intensified security patrols had been initiated along the waterways to prevent further incidents.
