By Edem Ekpo
Seventeen passengers have been abducted by suspected sea pirates along the Calabar waterways in Cross River State.
The incident occurred on Thursday when gunmen attacked a commercial passenger boat operated by Sea Express Limited, which was conveying about 30 passengers from Calabar to Oron in Akwa Ibom State.
Confirming the incident on Friday night, the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Cross River Police Command, DSP Igri Ewa, said the victims were taken to an undisclosed location.
“We are aware of the abduction and are making efforts to rescue the victims. At the moment, no contact has been established with their abductors, but we are working round the clock to ensure their safe release,” Ewa stated.
Relatives of the kidnapped passengers have expressed concern, saying attempts to reach their loved ones have been futile as their phones remain switched off.
A security source revealed that the pirates whisked away 17 passengers because their escape boat could not carry more people. Among those who narrowly escaped was the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in the 2023 Cross River election.
