Militants shoot two, injure many passengers on Oron-Calabar waterway

Etim Ekpimah

Militants have shot two passengers and injured many others when they boarded a passenger boat that was coming to Oron through Calabar waterway.

The boat was said to be on the midway between Calabar and Oron and in the deep sea when the militants, who were coming in the opposite direction opened fire at two passengers, attacked and injured other passengers as well.

A man, who cannot be identified whether he is one of the passengers or a crew member, was heard in a viral video calling for help from a trawler and other boats telling them that they had been attacked by militants.

The man said, “Come and help us carry people. Militants shot us.”

It was learnt that one of those shot had been treated and discharged from the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, while the other who was shot in the abdomen is still in critical condition in the hospital.

Our correspondent gathered that Oron-Calabar waterways have become deadly following the collapse of Calabar-Itu Highway as travellers along the sea route are being attacked almost on daily basis.

An indigene of Oron, who identified himself simply as Okokon, told our correspondent that since the Calabar-Itu Highway continues to be deplorable, travellers are left with no other choice but to get to Calabar through the waterway.

He said: “A lot of travellers now prefer to use the Calabar-Oron waterway, because of the poor condition of Calabar-Itu Highway. So, we have been having a series of attacks by sea pirates in recent times.

“On Saturday they came again in a speed boat and attacked travellers coming to Oron from Calabar in Cross River State. Two of the passengers were shot while several others were injured. One of the travellers is in critical condition in Calabar.

“We are worried about incessant attacks on innocent travellers along the waterways. So, we are calling on the state government and the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, to deploy more marine police to monitor the area.”

Another resident, Nkereuwem Eyo, said hours after the incident, battle-ready soldiers were seen patrolling the entire river deep the Oron side and that of Calabar.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom, Odiko Macdon, when contacted, said he has not received any information about the incident but promised to call the marine police “As we speak, I have not received any official information about the incident. However, I will contact the police to ascertain what happened,” he said