The Nigerian Navy has ramped up its offensive against militants and kidnappers in Cross River State, seizing several boats and outboard engines during follow-up operations along the Calabar waterways.
In a statement released on Monday, the Navy said its troops targeted Dayspring Island, where a militant camp was previously destroyed and a forward security post established. Sustained pressure on identified enclaves led to the discovery of ten outboard engines hidden in nearby bushes and inside a structure belonging to a suspected militant.
“All items were seized and secured by the troops,” the statement read.
In a separate intelligence-driven operation near Akpamfi creek, naval personnel advanced on militant positions, forcing the suspects to flee. The retreating criminals abandoned two fibreglass boats and a 200-horsepower outboard engine, all of which were recovered.
According to the Navy, the ongoing crackdown aims to dismantle the militants’ logistics network, as boats and engines are vital to their operations on the waterways. The service noted that the sustained offensive has significantly weakened the militants’ operational capacity, restricted their movement, and denied them safe havens.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the operation until all criminal elements are flushed out and the waterways are secured for legitimate use.
— NAN
