Police started an operation to rescue 15 passengers who were kidnapped in the waters of Cross River

Police agencies in Cross River have initiated coordinated search and rescue operations for 15 passengers abducted by gunmen on the Calabar–Oron waterway on Friday.

A Navy officer told reporters at the weekend that gunmen ambushed a ferry carrying passengers.

A passenger ferry loaded from Calabar was traveling to Oron in Akwa Ibom State.

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This was disclosed by the spokesperson for the Cross River State Police Command, Sunday Eitokpah, in a statement on Monday in Calabar.

He said: “The command is working closely with the Akwa Ibom Command and the Navy.

“Coordinated search and rescue and tactical operations are currently underway to ensure the safe recovery of the victims and the rapid apprehension of the perpetrators.”