Troops foil Sea Pirates’ kidnap attempt, rescue 37 traders in Akwa Ibom

Troops of the Nigerian Army have foiled a suspected kidnap attempt by sea pirates along the Oron–Ibaka waterways in Akwa Ibom State, rescuing 37 traders and crew members without casualties.

This was made known in a post on X by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Tuesday at Akpa Aron Creek in Oron Local Government Area.

Makama, citing intelligence sources, said troops of the 2 Brigade operating under Sector 4 of Operation Delta Safe responded swiftly to a distress call over a suspected kidnap incident involving sea pirates operating along the waterway.

According to the report, the suspected pirates who were travelling in a speedboat, on sighting the troops, reportedly engaged the soldiers before abandoning their kidnap attempt and fleeing the scene under pressure.

The troops successfully rescued 37 traders and crew members who were aboard a wooden market boat targeted by the attackers.

The rescued victims were subsequently escorted safely to the Oron Jetty, where they were handed over for further necessary action.

“The operation is part of ongoing efforts by security forces to secure Nigeria’s inland waterways and protect residents and commercial activities from criminal elements operating in the coastal region,” Makama added.