Militants arriving to surrender arms in CRS
By Akpekwu Imbufe, Bureau Chief Southsouth
Rescue operations are currently ongoing along the Cross River Estuary to secure the release of 15 passengers adopted by persons suspected to be see pirates haranguing the Calabar-Oron water way.
The rescue operations Is being conducted by security operatives from Cross River and Akwa Ibom States under the oversight command of Auwul Mohammed, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 6. The inter-state security framework involving Cross River and Akwa Ibom State Police Commands, will see the Nigerian Navy involved in the rescue operations.
However, there are mixed reactions from concerned publics as to the veracity of the heist. While the police confirmed the incident, the Cross River State Government has challenged the report, claiming that no such incident occurred on the official, secured route, suggesting the boat may have taken an unauthorized shortcut.
Militants at the surrender of arms in CRS
A statement signed by Effiwatt Ededem of the Department of Marine Services, and circulated to the media in Calabar alluded to the fears that the boat, which took off from Calabar to Oron may have followed unapproved designated government approved safe routes.
Safe routes on the Calabar–Oron waterway are defined by government approved, regulated routes that pass through three to five marine security checkpoints, typically utilized by reputable boat services providers like SeaExpress. These official channels, which operate between Calabar Marina Jetty and Oron, are designated for travel, while others are considered unapproved and risky shortcuts.
The Cross River State government is also taken aback by the kidnap because Its maritime safe passage measures provide for constant surveillance of the water route, provides key information on approved operators such as SeaExpress, which is widely cited for providing safe, fast, and scheduled services between Calabar and Oron.
Again, Official routes are patrolled by security agencies to prevent unauthorized, dangerous detours as well as time restriction. Boats are not permitted to operate on the waterway after 6:00 p.m and operators must ensure that authorized safety equipment are in use, which are the use of life jackets and seaworthy vessel.
Sources in the maritime sector of the state says, Cross River State government has warned against using unofficial routes by mariners for safety reasons as unregulated or “shortcut” routes are prone to security risks.
In recent times, Nigerians preferred to travel by boats because the route for daily travel between Cross River State (Calabar) and Akwa Ibom State (Uyo) is unmotorized and have seen taking a boat as the best alternative to the bad Calabar-Itu Federal Highway. Notwithstanding, the government of Senator Bassey Out as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to enhance peace and stability, has been working with security agencies to ensure safety and security in the state, one of which was a major victory in reducing the proliferation of illegal arms in the state as seen by the surrender of arms by effete militant group in the Cross River Estuary.
Militants at the surrender of arms in CRS
But a repeat of a similar, large-scale abductions, which occurred in September and April of 2025 on the same waterway, has made the narrative a recurring issue. Much as that, the Zone 6 Police Command has promised to intensify patrols to crack down on these criminal groups.
The problem though, is the rivalry, which exist been the two sisters states on jurisdiction. The fear is that no meaningful outcomes would be achieved unless security operatives in the two states shelved their rivalry and mount a synergy that would defeat piracy and kidnapers in the Cross River Estuary. For now, tongues are in check as to whether the kidnap of April 17 is a security lapse from Akwa Ibom State’s side of the Cross River Estuary.
