By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its offensive against militants and kidnappers operating along the Calabar waterways, recording fresh operational gains with the seizure of boats and engines during follow-up clearance operations at Dayspring Island in Cross River State.
In a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Navy said the latest success builds on an earlier operation carried out by personnel of NNS VICTORY and the Forward Operating Base, Ibaka.
The initial assault, according to the statement, led to the destruction of a key militant hideout, the establishment of a forward security outpost at Idung 1 (Peacock Crossing), and the arrest of a suspected collaborator. Since then, naval troops have sustained pressure across identified militant enclaves on the island.
“During the follow-up operations, troops uncovered ten (10) outboard boat engines concealed within adjoining bushes and inside a nearby structure, close to the previously destroyed residence linked to a suspected militant known as ‘Juju’. All items were immediately seized and secured,” the statement said.
The Navy further disclosed that in a related operation based on fresh intelligence, troops advanced into a creek near Akpamfi, where more militant logistics were hidden.
“On sighting advancing naval personnel, the militants fled, abandoning two fibre boats and one 200-horsepower outboard engine. The equipment was confiscated and towed to the naval security outpost,” it added.
The service explained that the sustained operations are part of a deliberate strategy to dismantle the logistics backbone of militant groups, noting that fibre boats and high-powered engines are critical to their operations across creeks and waterways.
It stressed that the continued offensive has significantly degraded the operational capability of the militants, curtailed their movement, and denied them safe havens within the area.
“The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining this pressure and will continue follow-up operations until all criminal elements are completely flushed out and the waterways are secured for legitimate activities,” the statement said.
The Navy also called on members of the public to support ongoing operations by providing credible and timely information to security agencies.
Navy Tightens Grip on Militants, Seizes Boats, Engines in Cross River Crackdown
