Suspected militants have attacked a Calabar bound engine boat injuring one passenger in the process.

The boat left Oron, in Akwa Ibom State about an hour ago and was heading with about a dozen passengers to Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

One passenger was shot in the stomach and is said to be receiving treatment in a medical facility.

Sources said the militants attacked with a gunboat.

As at press time, it was unclear whether more boats will risk the journey

The waterway has been the fastest means of transportation between Cross River and Akwa Ibom States due to the bad nature of the Calabar – Itu road which is the only highway that links southern Cross River with other South – South states.

The fare hiked by nearly 75 percent to NGN2,000 for the 40 minutes trip when it became the preferred means of transportation.

And, after what seemed a hiatus, this may be a signal that the militants may have returned to the waterways after a major group, the Bakassi Strike Force was granted amnesty by the State government in 2018.

Cheat2Win:
Insecurity should be tackled before thinking of seaports. Do you see pirates or militants in Lagos? that's because the coastal areas are not deserted . It's a fact that economy can not thrive with insecurity. The sea piracy ,kidnapping etc. are responsible for economic downturn in Calabar and Akwa ibom coastal areas, especially the seafood and tourism industry. It's one of the reasons Tinapa is struggling . And that mess is spilling into the city with weapons flying around everywhere especially from war torn Cameroon. Who wants to travel or do business in a volatile place?
Akwa ibom and Cross river government need to collaborate to curb insecurity. there's no police station, customs ,checkpoint, watchtower, or border demarcation in the entire Akpabuyo and bakassi local government which shares direct border with Cameroon. There's navy base in Calabar municipality, the customs office is at Oron which does not even have direct border with Cameroon is likely understaffed. There need to be security presence and most of those creeks need to be sand filled because they are easy hide out . it's so easy for these criminals to move freely within cross river,akwa ibom and even Cameroon. why can't the foolish governments of Cross river and Akwa ibom look into this critical issue ,instead of white elephant projects .

SlayerForever:
This is why we don't want them in Biafra. Useless people.

VEXT:

U call them useless people.. But we know the region with the most useless people between south south and south east... Where most of the youths there both male and female involve in illegal activities...

SlayerForever:
This is why we don't want them in Biafra. Useless people.