Security operations have been stepped up dramatically along the Calabar–Oron waterways as authorities race against time to rescue abducted passengers and dismantle a suspected pirate network operating in the coastal corridors.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command confirmed on April 20, 2026, that it has intensified joint operations with sister agencies following the recent pirate attack that left several travellers missing.
In a coordinated response, the Command said it is working closely with the Cross River State Police Command and the Nigerian Navy to dominate the waterways and adjoining creeks in a sweeping search-and-rescue operation.
Full-Scale Security Push
Acting on directives from the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 6, Auwal Musa Mohammed, the Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, has ordered sustained intelligence-led patrols, marine surveillance, and targeted raids on suspected criminal hideouts.
The operation combines marine units, tactical squads, and intelligence assets deployed across strategic waterways to ensure both the rescue of victims and the arrest of the attackers.
‘No Hiding Place for Pirates’
Police authorities vowed that the Command, in collaboration with sister security agencies, will not relent until every suspect involved in the attack is tracked down and brought to justice.
The Commissioner of Police reiterated the Command’s commitment to restoring safety along the waterways, stressing that criminal elements will find no safe haven within the maritime corridor.
Public Urged to Assist
Residents of riverine communities have been urged to remain calm, vigilant, and provide credible intelligence that could assist ongoing operations.
As the manhunt intensifies across creeks and coastal routes, security forces say the mission remains clear: rescue the abducted passengers, crush the pirate network, and restore confidence in one of the region’s busiest transport routes.
About The Author
