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From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Troops of 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have successfully rescued 18 passengers, including two infants, following a hijacking incident on a passenger boat travelling from Nigeria to Cameroon on 11 January 2026.
Major Yemi Sokoya, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade, disclosed this in a statement in Calabar.
He said a distress call reported that suspected sea pirates, operating in two speedboats and a wooden boat, hijacked a passenger boat moving from Nigeria to Cameroon.
The passengers, he said, were kidnapped along Kombo Fishing Port within Cameroon waterways.
Responding swiftly, 13 Brigade troops deployed at Ikang pursued the criminals, resulting in an exchange of fire that caused one of the pirates’ speedboats to capsize.
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The pirates abandoned their victims and fled into the surrounding creeks. All passengers were rescued unharmed.
Reacting to the rescue operation, the Commander, 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Patrick Alimikhena, commended the troops for their prompt and professional response.
According to him, “This successful rescue operation demonstrates the courage, professionalism, and unwavering commitment of our men and women to protect lives and ensure the safety of our waterways.
“We will continue to dominate our operational environment and safeguard our citizens against all criminal elements,” the brigade commander said.
He further urged members of the public to provide meaningful information that can assist the troops in effectively combating criminal activities across Cross River State, emphasising that community cooperation is essential for maintaining security.
