At least 15 passengers have been reportedly abducted by gunmen along the Calabar–Oron waterway in Cross River State on Friday, April 17, 2026.
The victims were travelling from Calabar to Oron when armed men allegedly ambushed their ferry and took control of the vessel, before whisking away passengers to an unknown location.
Sources at the Safe Anchor Beach in Calabar said the attackers struck suddenly during the voyage, though the exact number of abducted passengers remains unconfirmed.
There are also concerns that some of the victims may have been students travelling to sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, although this has not been officially verified.
A resident who spoke under anonymity described the incident as “chaotic and terrifying,” adding that passengers on the route now travel in fear due to repeated attacks.
The spokesperson of the Cross River State Police Command, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said the incident did not occur within his jurisdiction, noting that the matter had been referred to the neighbouring Akwa Ibom State Police Command for confirmation and further action.
The Calabar–Oron waterway, which connects Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, has increasingly become a hotspot for maritime criminal activity, as travellers seek to avoid the deteriorating Calabar–Itu road.
Security analysts have raised concerns over the growing vulnerability of Nigeria’s inland waterways, calling for stronger naval patrols and coordinated inter-state security operations.
Authorities are yet to confirm the identities of the abducted passengers or issue details of any rescue operation at the time of filing this report.
