Pirates Abduct 15, Including UTME Candidates, on Calabar–Oron Waterway

Pirates Abduct 15, Including UTME Candidates, on Calabar–Oron Waterway

The Cross River State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of 15 passengers aboard a commercial Sea Express boat travelling from Calabar to Oron, in an incident that has heightened fears over safety along Nigeria’s coastal routes.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Irene Ugbo (also reported in some accounts as ASP Eitokpah), disclosed this in a statement on Monday, noting that security agencies have launched coordinated efforts to rescue the victims.

“The command is collaborating closely with the Akwa Ibom State Police Command as well as the Nigerian Navy in coordinated search-and-rescue operations. As we speak, tactical operations to secure the safe recovery of the victims and the arrest of the perpetrators are ongoing,” the statement read.

The attack reportedly occurred on Friday when armed sea pirates intercepted the passenger boat mid-journey along the busy Calabar–Oron waterway. Eyewitness and security accounts indicate that the gunmen, who operated in speedboats, opened fire to force the vessel to a halt before whisking passengers away at gunpoint to an unknown destination.

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Initial reports suggested that the number of victims could be higher, with some sources estimating that up to 20 passengers were abducted during the હુમ. Many of those on board were believed to be young Nigerians travelling to Akwa Ibom State to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

A naval source, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that the attackers targeted the civilian ferry on the river, taking advantage of limited security presence on that stretch of the waterway.

The incident has triggered widespread concern among residents, parents, and education stakeholders, particularly as it affects students attempting to sit for a crucial national examination. The Calabar–Oron route remains a major transit corridor linking Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, frequently used by traders, commuters, and students.

Security agencies, including marine police units and naval personnel, have since intensified patrols and launched search-and-rescue missions across adjoining creeks and waterways. Authorities say efforts are focused on locating the victims quickly and dismantling pirate networks operating in the region.

Maritime security experts and local stakeholders have renewed calls for stronger surveillance, increased deployment of armed patrol teams, and improved intelligence gathering to curb the rising threat of sea piracy in the Niger Delta and adjoining coastal areas.

The latest incident adds to growing concerns over insecurity affecting both land and water transport in Nigeria, with stakeholders urging swift intervention to protect lives—especially vulnerable groups like students travelling for critical examinations.

Pirates Abduct 15, Including UTME Candidates, on Calabar–Oron Waterway