Gunmen suspected to be sea robbers on Thursday hijacked a commercial passenger boat conveying 30 people from Calabar, Cross River, to Oron, Akwa Ibom, and abducted 17 passengers.

Zagazola gathered that the attack occurred around Bouy 34 waterways at about 9:20 a.m. when the fibre boat, operated by Sea Express Jetty, was intercepted.

“Seventeen passengers were taken away to an unknown destination, while 13 others were rescued from the boat.

“Patrol gunboats have been dispatched to the scene in collaboration with other security agencies to rescue the victims and arrest the perpetrators,” said sources

The sources said investigations were ongoing, while further updates would be provided as the situation developed. (Zagazola)