Troops of 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army rescued 18 passengers travelling to Cameroon along the Calabar-Cameroon waterways.
This was made known in a statement on Monday by the Assistant Director of Public Relations, Headquarters, 13 Brigade, Major Semi Sokoya.
According to Sokoya, the operation followed the hijacking of a passenger boat en route Nigeria to Cameroon.
It said a distress call indicated that suspected sea pirates operating in two speed boats and a wooden boat, intercepted the boat and kidnapped the passengers around Kombo Fishing Port within Cameroonian waters.
It said troops of 13 Brigade deployed at Ikang responded promptly and pursued the suspects, leading to an exchange of gunfire that caused one of the pirates speed boats to capsise.
“The pirates abandoned the victims and fled into the surrounding creeks. All the passengers were rescued unharmed,” Major Sokoya said.
The Commander of 13 Brigade, Brigadier-General Patrick Alimikhena commended the troops for their swift and professional response.
Alimikhena said the successful rescue demonstrates the courage, professionalism and commitment of troops to protect lives and secure the waterways.
He assured that the brigade would continue to dominate its area of responsibility and protect citizens from criminal elements.
The brigade commander also urged members of the public to provide useful information to assist security agencies in tackling criminal activities in Cross River.
He emphasised that community cooperation remains vital to sustaining peace and security in the state.
