The attention of the Office of the Special Adviser on Marine Services to the Governor of Cross River State, Capt. Otu Ita Otu, has been drawn to a report published by _First Media Naija_ on Monday, April 20, 2026, alleging the abduction of over 15 passengers by gunmen along the Calabar-Oron waterway on Friday, April 17, 2026.
We wish to state in unequivocal terms that no such incident occurred on the official Calabar–Oron waterway, which is under the jurisdiction and surveillance of the Cross River State Government.
Our findings establish that while the said boat departed from Calabar bound for Oron, it did not navigate the approved and regulated Calabar–Oron waterway. The operator of the boat chose to utilize an unapproved shortcut route that is not recognized as part of the official sea transportation corridor.
Furthermore, on Friday, April 17, 2026, the Special Adviser on Marine Services, Capt. Otu Ita Otu, alongside the State Security Adviser, was on a scheduled marine patrol along the official Calabar–Oron waterway. The patrol was conducted without any record of abduction, attack, or security breach.
The public is hereby informed that boats plying the official Calabar–Oron waterway are mandated to pass through 3 to 5 Marine Security Checkpoints strategically established to ensure the safety of passengers and crew before arrival at Oron.
In addition, the public and all maritime stakeholders are reminded that there is a standing restriction of movement on sea transport along the Calabar–Oron waterway. With effect from 6:00 p.m. daily, no boat is permitted to operate on the waterway. This measure is part of the State Government’s proactive security framework to safeguard lives and property.
On this note, we strongly enjoin all sea transport operators, boat captains, and relevant stakeholders to comply strictly with the use of officially designated waterway routes and to adhere to the stipulated operating hours. The patronage of unapproved shortcuts and violation of the 5:00 p.m. curfew endangers lives and undermines the robust maritime security architecture instituted by the Cross River State Government.
The Government of Cross River State remains unwavering in its commitment to the safety and protection of all commuters on our waterways and will continue to partner with security agencies to sustain law and order across our marine corridors.
Signed:
Effiwatt, Ededem
_Department of Marine Services, Cross River State_
