17 PASSENGERS ABDUCTED BY SEA PIRATES IN CALABAR WATERWAYS

September 26, 2025

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Seventeen passengers have been abducted by suspected sea pirates who hijacked a commercial boat along the Calabar waterways in Cross River State.

The attack occurred on Thursday when gunmen seized a boat belonging to Sea Express Limited, which was conveying at least 30 passengers from Calabar, Cross River, to Oron, Akwa Ibom.

Confirming the incident on Friday, the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Police Command, Igri Ewa, said security operatives were working to secure the release of the victims.

“We are aware of the abduction and we are making efforts to rescue the victims. At the moment, no contact has been made by their abductors, but we are on our toes to ensure they are released,” Ewa stated.

Family members of the victims said they had been unable to reach their loved ones, as their mobile phones remained switched off.

A source familiar with the incident explained that the pirates took away 17 passengers because their getaway boat could not carry more.

The abduction adds to growing concerns about insecurity along Nigeria’s coastal routes, where frequent pirate attacks have endangered lives and disrupted maritime travel.