Panic as Gunmen Strike Again, Abduct JAMB Candidates on Calabar Waterways, Days After Kidnapping 15 Persons on Land in Benue
No fewer than 20 passengers, including candidates of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), were reportedly abducted by sea pirates along the Calabar waterways on Friday.
A naval officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, saying armed men ambushed a passenger ferry travelling from Calabar in Cross River State to Oron in Akwa Ibom State.
The attackers reportedly struck mid-journey and forced the vessel to stop before whisking away passengers at gunpoint.
Although the exact number of abducted persons remains unclear, sources said several of the victims were candidates heading to sit for the JAMB examination in Akwa Ibom State.
At the time of filing this report, the Cross River State Police Command had neither confirmed nor denied the incident. Police spokesperson Sunday Eitokpah said the Akwa Ibom Command would be better placed to provide details.
The attack has heightened concerns over safety along waterways in the region, particularly for candidates travelling for national examinations.
Source: The Cable