By EHIGIMETOR IGBAUGBA

A coordinated search-and-rescue and tactical operations are currently ongoing to ensure the safe recovery of 15 passengers abducted by gunmen on the Calabar–Oron waterway on Friday.

The spokesperson of the Cross River State Police Command, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, made this known in a statement on Monday.

“The Command is working in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom Command and the Navy.

“Coordinated search-and-rescue and tactical operations are currently ongoing to ensure the safe recovery of the victims and the swift apprehension of the perpetrators,” he said.

A Naval officer, who pleaded anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that gunmen ambushed the ferry in which the passengers were traveling in.

The passenger ferry, which loaded from Calabar, Cross River, was traveling to Oron in Akwa Ibom. (NAN)