Gunmen abduct 15 passengers on Calabar-Oron ferry, police launch search
Police confirmed that gunmen ambushed a ferry travelling from Calabar, Cross River State to Oron, Akwa Ibom State on Friday and abducted 15 passengers. The spokesperson for Cross River Police Command, Sunday Eitokpah (Assistant Superintendent of Police), announced the abduction in a statement to reporters on Monday, saying coordinated search-and-rescue and tactical operations are ongoing with the Akwa Ibom Command and the Navy.
This attack follows a worrying trend of kidnappings on the Calabar-Oron waterways. In September 2025, 17 passengers were seized on the same route, and in April 2025, 20 passengers were taken from a boat travelling Oron to Calabar. Commuters have increasingly turned to water travel because the Calabar-Itu Federal Highway remains in poor condition, leaving them vulnerable to armed groups seeking ransom.
Travelers should avoid the Calabar-Oron waterways until security improves, consider using alternative routes where possible, and stay updated through official police channels. If you notice suspicious activity, report it immediately to the nearest police station or call emergency numbers 112 or 767.