The Nigerian Army has successfully rescued eight civilians who were abducted by suspected militants along the Ikang–Cameroon waterways in Cross River State.
The rescue operation was carried out by troops of the 13 Brigade, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ikang, following credible intelligence provided by members of the local community, according to a statement by the Army Public Relations.
In the statement posted on the Nigerian Army’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 13 Brigade, Major Yemi Sokoya, disclosed that the victims six adults and two minors were kidnapped after a commercial boat was intercepted by the militants.
Acting swiftly, the troops pursued the perpetrators, blocked possible escape routes, and secured the waterways, forcing the kidnappers to abandon the victims at Ini-Abasi Fishing Port before fleeing into nearby creeks and the high seas.
All eight civilians were rescued unharmed, documented, and later released, with no casualties recorded during the operation.
Commending the troops, the Commander of 13 Brigade, Brigadier General P.O. Alimikhena, praised their professionalism and rapid response. He also lauded the local community for their timely intelligence, noting that it played a crucial role in the success of the operation.
The Brigade Commander reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to sustained aggressive patrols across the waterways to deter criminal activities and urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible information to help maintain peace and security in the area.
