Sea pirates
Cross River State Police Command has verified the abduction of 17 passengers by sea pirates along the Calabar Waterways.
Deputy Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Igri Ewa, confirmed the incident on Saturday in Calabar, revealing that the attack occurred on Thursday.
He assured that the police had launched swift operations to secure the “immediate and prompt” release of the kidnapped passengers.
DSP Ewa also disclosed that among those on the targeted boat were a serving police officer from Akwa Ibom State and a well-known politician from Cross River, both of whom narrowly escaped being taken hostage.
A passenger who spoke on condition of anonymity told reporters that the boat was ambushed shortly after departing from Oron heading towards Calabar.
> “They stopped our boat, transferred some passengers to their boat, and when their boat was full, they took off,” the passenger recounted.
Upon arrival at the Inland Waterways Jetty, the remaining passengers were thoroughly questioned by the police.
> “When we arrived at the Inland Waterways Jetty, we were thoroughly quizzed by the police. Our statements were later taken before we were allowed to go home,” the passenger added.
