The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on militants and kidnappers operating along the Calabar waterways, recording fresh operational successes in follow-up clearance operations at Dayspring Island in Cross River State.
The latest development comes after an earlier offensive by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory and Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, which led to the destruction of a major militant hideout, the establishment of a forward security outpost at Idung 1 (Peacock Crossing), and the arrest of a suspected collaborator. Naval troops have since maintained sustained pressure on identified militant enclaves within the island.
During the follow-up operation, troops uncovered 10 outboard boat engines concealed in nearby bushes and within a structure close to a residence previously linked to a suspected militant known as “Juju.” The items were promptly seized and secured.
In a related operation driven by fresh intelligence, naval personnel advanced into a creek near Akpamfi, where additional militant logistics were hidden. On sighting the troops, the militants fled, abandoning two fibre boats and a 200-horsepower outboard engine, all of which were confiscated and moved to a naval security outpost.
The Navy said the operations are part of a broader strategy to dismantle the logistics network of militant groups, noting that fibre boats and high-powered engines are critical to their activities across waterways.
According to the Navy, the sustained offensive has significantly weakened the militants’ operational capacity, curtailed their movement, and denied them safe havens in the area.
The service reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining pressure on criminal elements and ensuring that waterways remain safe for legitimate economic activities, while urging members of the public to provide credible information to support ongoing operations.
