Allegations of pirates were cheated by 17 passengers at Cross River

Armed people suspected of sea pirate on Thursday kidnapped 17 passengers along the Calabar water channel in the Cross River state.

The representative of the Public Relations Officer for the State Police Command, Igri Ewa, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday in Calabar.

He said the order had moved to ensure the rescue of the victim who was ‘direct and fast’.

According to Ewa, a police officer serving in Akwa Ibom and a popular politician at Cross River, who was on the ship, fled from kidnapping.

A passenger told reporters on Saturday that the ship was attacked a few minutes after taking off from Oron on his way to Calabar.

Also read: Nigerian Navy spreads special forces, 10 ships to collect marine BIPA

“They stopped our boat, moved several passengers to their ship, and when their boat was full, they left.

“When we arrived at the inland water dock, we were really questioned by the police. Our statement was then taken before we were allowed to go home,” added the passenger.