The Cross River State Police Command has addressed circulating reports regarding the alleged kidnapping of twelve (12) passengers who boarded an engine boat traveling from Oron, Akwa Ibom State, to Cross River State.

In an official statement, the Command clarified that the unfortunate incident was not immediately reported to the Marine Police Department or any other unit within the Command, a lapse which hindered prompt intervention. Preliminary intelligence suggests that the incident occurred along the Calabar-Oron Waterways, near James Creek, an area challenging for the Command to access or independently verify at the time.

Despite these jurisdictional and logistical limitations, the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Olusegun Eyitayo Omosanyin, psc (+), fdc, has ordered the Marine Department to activate urgent response measures. These include intensified collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, and other sister security agencies for a swift, coordinated rescue operation.

CP Omosanyin has also engaged directly with the Commander of NN Victory Base, Commodore A. Oride, to facilitate deep-sea search-and-rescue efforts. It is suspected that the victims may have been moved further offshore into deeper waters, prompting the Navy to extend their operations into those areas.

The Command reassured the public that safeguarding lives and property remains its constitutional duty and foremost priority. It emphasized the importance of receiving and disseminating only verified information through the Police Public Relations Department to maintain clear communication with the citizens of Cross River State.

The Police urged the public to remain calm, stay vigilant, and cooperate fully with security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could aid in ongoing rescue operations.