Two children and six adults who were allegedly abducted along the Ikang–Cameroon waterways in the Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State have been rescued.
PUNCH Metro learnt on Tuesday that the eight civilians were freed by troops of the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army operating from the Forward Operating Base, Ikang.
The rescue followed credible intelligence from members of the local community, who reported that militants had intercepted a commercial boat and abducted six adults and two minors, according to a statement by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Major Yemi Sokoya, posted on the Nigerian Army’s X account on Tuesday.
“Acting swiftly, the troops deployed to pursue the perpetrators, blocked possible escape routes, and secured the waterways.
“As a result of the rapid response, the militants abandoned the victims at Ini-Abasi Fishing Port and fled into nearby creeks and the high seas.
“The civilians were recovered safely, documented, and later released, with no casualties reported during the operation,” the post read.
The Commander of 13 Brigade, Brigadier General PO Alimikhena, praised the professionalism and prompt action of the troops.
He also thanked members of the local community for their timely intelligence, which was key to the successful rescue, and reassured the public that the Brigade would continue aggressive patrols to prevent further criminal activity.
He urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to help maintain safety in the area.
The rescue came less than 72 hours after a similar operation in which troops of the Joint Task Force, Faruruwa, freed an abducted victim during a successful security operation along the Kano–Katsina border in the early hours of Sunday.
The Army Public Relations Officer of the 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Kano, Major Zubair Babatunde, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the operation was carried out following a credible tip-off received at about 1:00 am on the movement of armed bandits from the Daurawa and Kira areas of Katsina State towards the Kano axis.
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