Sea pirates attack passenger boat on Calabar-Oron route, abducting 17 passengers in Cross River. The incident raises urgent questions over Nigeria’s waterways security.
Fear has gripped coastal communities in southern Nigeria after sea pirates attack passenger boat on the busy Calabar-Oron waterway, kidnapping 17 people and leaving many others traumatized.
The incident, which took place on Thursday, September 25, 2025, has raised new concerns about the worsening state of maritime security in the country.
The hijack occurred at about 9:20 a.m. along Bouy 34 waterways. The fibre boat, operated by Sea Express Jetty and carrying 30 passengers, had barely set off when armed men intercepted it.
Survivors say the pirates fired several shots into the air to instill fear before boarding the vessel.
“They were heavily armed and shouting at everyone to keep quiet,” one rescued passenger recounted.
“We were terrified. In minutes, they took 17 people away, leaving the rest of us stranded in the middle of the water.”
Security sources confirmed that 13 passengers were rescued while 17 were abducted and taken to an unknown location.
Joint patrol gunboats were immediately deployed to track the attackers and rescue the victims.
Journalist Agba Jalingo, who verified the incident, disclosed that among the passengers were the spokesperson of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Timfon John, and former Cross River governorship candidate, Eyo Ekpo.
Their presence has heightened the profile of the hijack and increased pressure on security agencies to deliver a swift resolution.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command confirmed that investigations had begun, with reinforcements sent to sensitive waterways.
A senior officer, who asked not to be named, described the hijack as a major challenge:
“This sea pirates attack passenger boat is not just about kidnapping; it is about undermining public trust in waterway transportation.
“We are determined to rescue the victims safely and dismantle the criminal networks behind it.”
The Gulf of Guinea was once considered the world’s most dangerous maritime region, but large-scale offshore piracy has declined in recent years due to international naval patrols.
However, smaller-scale attacks—like Thursday’s Calabar-Oron hijack—continue to threaten local transportation.
The Calabar-Oron route is one of the busiest in southern Nigeria, linking Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
For many residents, it is faster and more reliable than the alternative road journey. Yet, repeated piracy incidents are now forcing travelers and traders to reconsider their options.
“This is not the first time pirates have struck here,” explained a boat operator.
“Each time it happens, we lose passengers, businesses slow down, and people become afraid to travel.”
The attack has immediate economic implications. Traders who depend on daily movement between Calabar and Oron may suffer losses if passenger numbers decline. Tourism, already struggling in the region, could also be affected.
For the families of the kidnapped passengers, the trauma is even greater. In many past cases, pirates have demanded ransom for hostages, plunging families into debt and fear.
One relative of a victim expressed despair: “My brother left for Oron yesterday morning. Since the news broke, we have not heard from him. We just want him back alive.”
Civil society groups, journalists, and community leaders have urged the federal and state governments to prioritize maritime security.
Suggestions include the creation of permanent naval outposts along high-risk waterways, deployment of drones for surveillance, and improved collaboration between security agencies.
Agba Jalingo stressed the urgency: “Every time sea pirates attack passenger boat, lives are endangered, and confidence in our system is eroded. We need proactive solutions, not just reactions after tragedies.”
Nigeria has made legal and security efforts to curb piracy, including the 2019 Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act (SPOMO Act).
The law has led to some convictions, and the Nigerian Navy has partnered with foreign navies in the Gulf of Guinea to reduce large-scale attacks.
Yet, Thursday’s hijack reveals lingering weaknesses in internal waterway security. Experts say that as long as poverty, unemployment, and weak law enforcement persist in coastal communities, piracy will remain an attractive crime for armed groups.
The fate of the 17 kidnapped passengers remains uncertain, but operations are ongoing to secure their release.
For residents who depend on Nigeria’s waterways, Thursday’s hijack is a stark reminder that insecurity remains a daily risk.
Until comprehensive security reforms are implemented—combining patrols, surveillance technology, and economic empowerment—many fear that incidents like the latest sea pirates attack passenger boat will continue to haunt Nigeria’s coastal communities.
