Tension is mounting along Nigeria’s coastal corridors after a daring pirate attack on the Calabar–Oron waterways triggered a full-scale security crackdown, with authorities vowing to hunt down the perpetrators “without mercy.”
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 6, Auwal Musa Mohammed, has ordered immediate joint operations following the April 16 assault on a passenger ferry, where about 15 passengers were abducted by armed sea raiders.
In a swift and decisive move, the AIG directed the Commissioners of Police in Cross River State, Rashid B. Afegbua, and Akwa Ibom State, Baba Mohammed Azare, to launch a coordinated, intelligence-driven manhunt to rescue the victims and dismantle the criminal network behind.
The operation, according to police authorities, will involve close collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies to dominate the waterways and restore safety.
In a strongly worded directive, the AIG ordered security chiefs to put aside jurisdictional boundaries and deploy all tactical and intelligence resources to ensure swift rescue efforts.
He emphasized that the abducted passengers remain the top priority, warning that security forces will pursue the attackers relentlessly until justice is served.
The attack has sparked fresh concerns among residents and maritime operators who rely heavily on the Calabar–Oron route for daily transport and trade.
Condemning the incident, the police leadership reassured the public of its resolve to protect lives and property, urging citizens to remain calm and report suspicious movements, especially in riverine communities.
Police authorities reiterated that criminals will find no hiding place within Zone 6, promising sustained operations and regular updates to maintain public confidence.
As security forces tighten their grip on the waterways, all eyes are now on the unfolding rescue mission—one that could determine the next chapter in Nigeria’s battle against maritime crime.
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