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| Map of Cross River State |
CALABAR, Nigeria – In a brazen daylight attack, armed sea pirates have kidnapped at least 17 passengers after ambushing a passenger boat travelling along the busy Calabar-Oron waterway. The incident occurred on Friday, sending shockwaves through the coastal communities.
The attack targeted a commercial boat that had departed from Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, and was en route to Oron in Akwa Ibom State. According to a spokesperson for the Maritime Security Agency, the assailants struck while the boat was in transit, forcibly abducting the passengers.
Security Agency Confirms Incident
The Maritime Security Agency has officially confirmed the abduction. An agency representative stated that the pirates intercepted the passenger boat, leading to the mass kidnapping. The exact circumstances of the attack and the identity of the victims have not yet been fully disclosed.
“Seventeen passengers were abducted when their boat was ambushed by sea pirates,” a source from the security agency confirmed. The incident highlights the persistent security challenges on the waterways connecting parts of the Niger Delta region.
Search and Rescue Efforts Underway
Authorities have indicated that search and rescue operations are now underway in an effort to locate and secure the safe release of the abducted individuals. The Calabar-Oron route is a vital transport link for locals and businesses, and such attacks severely impact the sense of safety and economic activity in the area.
Security forces are understood to be pursuing leads to track down the perpetrators. Further details are expected to be released as the situation develops.
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