latest
Pirates Kidnap 17 Passengers on Calabar-Oron Waterway in Southern Nigeria
Pirates abducted 17 passengers traveling by boat on the Calabar-Oron waterways in southern Nigeria, authorities and local residents said Friday, raising fresh concerns about insecurity on the country’s busy coastal routes.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The victims were on their way from Calabar in Cross River state to Oron in Akwa Ibom state when their boat was intercepted by armed men on Thursday morning, according to local officials. The attackers forced the passengers into another vessel before escaping toward the creeks.
No deaths were reported, but families say they have not heard from their loved ones since the incident. Security agencies have been alerted, though no group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.
Victims Mostly Traders and Travelers
Residents said many of the abducted passengers were traders who use the waterway to transport goods between the two coastal towns. The Calabar-Oron route is one of the busiest in the region, serving as a cheaper and faster alternative to road travel, which is often slowed by poor infrastructure.
A senior official of the Cross River State Emergency Agency, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the press, confirmed the incident. He said authorities are working with security forces to locate the victims.
“We are in touch with the Navy and Marine Police to secure the release of the passengers. The waterways must be made safe for the public,” the official said.
Families in Fear, Authorities Silent
Families of the kidnapped passengers gathered at the Calabar jetty on Friday, demanding action from the government. Some wept openly as they described calling the victims’ phones without success.
“My sister was on that boat,” said Grace Udo, a trader. “We don’t know if she is safe. We are begging the government to rescue them.”
Both the Cross River and Akwa Ibom state governments have yet to issue official statements. The Nigerian Navy base in Calabar declined to comment when contacted by The Associated Press.
Rising Pirate Attacks
The Gulf of Guinea, which stretches along Nigeria’s coast, has long been one of the world’s piracy hotspots. Attacks have decreased in recent years due to international naval patrols, but smaller-scale kidnappings and robberies still occur along Nigeria’s inland waterways.
Security experts warn that weak law enforcement, unemployment, and poverty drive many young men in the Niger Delta region into piracy and kidnapping for ransom.
“This incident shows piracy is not over,” said Uche Igwe, a security analyst. “Criminal groups have shifted tactics, and local travelers are now their soft targets.”
Economic Impact
The abduction has raised fears it could discourage trade between Calabar and Oron. Traders rely heavily on boats to move goods such as food, textiles, and spare parts. With pirates targeting travelers, businesses may suffer losses, and transport costs could rise.
“People are already afraid,” said Bassey Edem, a boat operator in Calabar. “If this continues, many will stop using the waterways. That will hurt everyone’s livelihood.”
Calls for Stronger Security
Maritime unions and community leaders have called on the federal government to deploy more naval patrols in the area. They say travelers have long complained about pirate attacks, but little has been done.
“We have cried out many times, but the authorities only act after lives are lost or people are taken,” said Chief Okon Effiong, a community leader in Oron. “We need permanent security presence on these waterways.”
The Nigerian Navy in recent years has launched operations to secure the Gulf of Guinea, but resources are stretched thin across the country due to multiple security crises, including banditry in the northwest and insurgency in the northeast.
As of Friday evening, the kidnapped passengers remained in captivity. It was not immediately clear if the abductors had demanded ransom. Security agencies say they are tracking movements in the creeks but have released no timeline for a rescue operation.
For many residents of Calabar and Oron, the attack is a reminder that insecurity remains a daily threat, even far from Nigeria’s conflict zones.
“Traveling by water should not be a death sentence,” said Udo, the sister of one of the victims. “We only want our people back alive.”
The National Vice Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Ceekay Igara, has rejected claims that the party’s strong showing in the 2023 elections was driven solely by its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Igara said the Labour Party has a solid organisational structure that predates the 2023 elections, insisting that its performance was not dependent on a single individual.
He explained that while Obi significantly boosted the party’s visibility and popularity, the foundation that attracted voters was already in place. According to him, Nigerians evaluated multiple political parties before choosing the Labour Party based on its structure and appeal.
Igara also disclosed that Obi’s emergence as the party’s presidential candidate was the result of intense internal discussions, noting that several aspirants initially opposed his selection. He said it took intervention from the party’s national leadership to convince other contenders to step down and allow Obi to emerge as the flagbearer.
He further linked the surge in youth participation during the 2023 elections to broader civic awareness, especially the influence of the EndSARS movement, which he said aligned with the Labour Party due to its existing groundwork and messaging.
Commenting on Obi’s reported association with another political platform, Igara said it remains to be seen whether the level of support Obi enjoyed in 2023 can be replicated elsewhere, suggesting that the true impact will become clearer over time.
He maintained that the Labour Party remains focused on strengthening its structure ahead of future elections, stressing that electoral success should be measured beyond popularity, including tangible outcomes such as governorship wins and broader political gains.
A Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, on Monday, April 20, 2026, admitted nine documentary exhibits in an ongoing criminal trial involving former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, alongside his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The exhibits were tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its prosecution of the defendants over allegations of conspiracy, money laundering, and concealment of proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to ₦8.71 billion, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
During the proceedings, the fourth prosecution witness, Mashelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank Plc, testified that he received official requests from the EFCC for financial records linked to the defendants and several associated companies.
He explained that, in line with his duties, the bank provided both soft and hard copies of account documents relating to entities including Rayhaan Hotels Limited, Rayhaan Bustan Agro Allied Limited, Nashab Limited, Golden Age Global Ventures, and Rahamaniyya Properties Limited.
The witness confirmed that nine documents were submitted in compliance with the EFCC’s request and identified them when presented in court.
Following arguments from both sides, the court admitted the documents as Exhibits D1 to D9, despite initial objections from the defence regarding the timing of the documents.
Further testimony detailed various account activities, including opening documents and statements tied to accounts associated with Malami and his law firm. The records reportedly covered transactions spanning from 2012 to 2023.
The witness also confirmed that the accounts were active between 2015 and 2023 and recorded multiple inflows and outflows during that period.
He further outlined several high-value transactions, including transfers from companies linked to the defendants into accounts under review, with some transactions running into hundreds of millions of naira.
The EFCC continued to present financial breakdowns in court, indicating that the alleged transactions formed part of its broader case against the defendants as the trial progresses.
The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 42 suspected illegal miners in connection with the abduction of a traditional ruler, Oba Salman Aweda, in Ifelodun Local Government Area.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
-
latest8 months ago“Social Media Erupts As Jim Iyke Declares Rita Dominic Nollywood’s Most Beautiful”
-
latest2 years agoEdo Political Showdown: Oshiomhole Appears At Presidential Villa As Tinubu Hands APC Gubernatorial Flag To Okpebholo (Photos & Video)
-
entertainment2 years agoLove Knows No Age American Woman Defends Marriage To Young Nigerian Man “I’m Not 70”
-
latest2 years agoOlumide Akpata Strikes Again: Drops Killer Track, Sends Edo State Into Frenzy!(Video)
-
Politics2 years agoNigerians React As Pastor Adeboye Foresees Passing Away On A Sunday After Enjoying A Satisfying Meal Of Pounded Yam
-
latest2 years agoFG Identifies 31 States At Risk Of Heavy Flooding In 2024: See Full List
-
Politics2 years agoBREAKING: Inspector-General Of Police Summons Top Police Commanders For Crucial-Security Challenges
-
latest2 years ago5 NYSC Corpers Perish In Fatal Road Accident Returning From Camp