Troops of the 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have rescued eight persons who were kidnapped along the Ikang–Cameroon waterways in Cross River State.
The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade, Major Yemi Sokoya, confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the victims — six adults and two children — were abducted after militants intercepted a commercial boat on December 29.
According to the statement, troops deployed from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ikang responded swiftly after receiving credible intelligence from local residents about the attack.
The military personnel were said to have immediately launched a pursuit of the kidnappers, while also blocking likely escape routes and taking control of the waterways.
Their action reportedly forced the militants to abandon the victims at the Ini-Abasi Fishing Port before fleeing into the creeks towards the high sea. The troops later recovered the victims and moved them to the Brigade headquarters for documentation before they were released.
The army reported no casualties during the operation and said patrols have been intensified along the waterways to prevent further attacks or attempts by the militants to regroup.
Brigade Commander, Brigadier General P.O. Alimikhena, urged continued cooperation from residents, stressing the role of timely and credible intelligence in tackling criminal activity in the area.
