CROSS RIVER, BAKASSI – Troops of the 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have rescued four kidnapped civilians in a coordinated waterborne operation that blocked militants attempting to ferry the victims toward Cameroon through the Bakassi creeks.
The operation, carried out on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, unfolded during a routine patrol designed to restrict criminal movement along strategic waterways in Cross River State, according to information posted on the Army Headquarters Facebook page.
Troops encountered a speedboat conveying armed militants and four abducted passengers toward the Isangele–Achibong axis in the Republic of Cameroon, prompting an immediate pursuit based on standard operational rules and situational ethics.
The soldiers reported that the militants opened fire first in an attempt to escape, forcing the patrol team to respond with what officials described as “accurate and superior firepower” to neutralize the threat and protect the hostages.
Army public relations personnel stated that the firefight lasted only a short period due to the troops’ positioning, tactical advantage, and early detection, which prevented the abductors from gaining access to deeper, less navigable creeks.
The military disclosed that the kidnappers abandoned the victims and fled into adjoining mangrove channels after coming under pressure, leaving behind personal belongings seized from the abducted passengers.
Officials noted that all four victims were rescued unharmed, an outcome the Army attributed to the troops’ discipline, quick decision-making, and adherence to engagement rules that prioritize civilian safety during armed confrontations.
The Army also highlighted that no soldier was injured in the rescue, describing the incident as proof of the Brigade’s improved readiness and its evolving capacity for rapid intervention in Cross River’s coastal crime corridors.
Brigadier General P.O. Alimikhena, Commander of 13 Brigade, commended the troops in a statement, stressing that their actions “demonstrated courage, vigilance, and unwavering dedication” to protecting communities vulnerable to maritime banditry.
He said the troops’ conduct aligns with the Brigade’s current operational posture, which includes enhanced water patrols, technology-supported surveillance, and collaboration with sister agencies to prevent cross-border criminal activities.
General Alimikhena further explained that the Brigade remains committed to “dismantling criminal networks operating within coastal and riverine communities,” noting that the Bakassi–Cameroon route has become a preferred escape corridor for abductors seeking to evade law enforcement.
The Army said the operation also reinforces recent security gains recorded across the region, referencing earlier patrol successes where troops intercepted smuggling attempts and foiled planned abductions along the Calabar–Oron and Bakassi waterways.
Security analysts say Tuesday’s rescue highlights a shift in criminal tactics, as kidnappers increasingly use water channels to avoid road checkpoints and exploit porous maritime boundaries near Isangele and Idabato.
Military sources acknowledged that patrols have intensified after several incidents in which armed groups attempted to transport abducted victims out of Nigeria by boat, making river-based interventions a growing part of the Army’s counter-kidnap strategy.
The military clarified that routine water patrols, including the one that resulted in Tuesday’s rescue, remain necessary because criminal groups often move hostages at dawn or dusk, taking advantage of low visibility and fast outboard engines.
Officials indicated that the rescued civilians have been reunited with authorities for preliminary debriefing, medical screening, and return of recovered personal effects seized by the militants earlier in the abduction process.
Major Yemi Sokoya, Assistant Director Army Public Relations at 13 Brigade, said the Brigade would maintain pressure on criminal hideouts, urging residents of coastal communities to report suspicious boat movements.
He added that intelligence from locals has proven valuable in past operations, stressing that “community cooperation remains essential” because militants often rely on informal networks for fuel supply, boat repair, and safe passage.
The military used Tuesday’s success to reassure residents of Bakassi, Atimbo, Ikang, and adjoining waterways that security agencies remain “fully deployed and alert” amid rising cross-border maritime crime.
Security observers note that the operation may also strengthen inter-agency collaboration, given the pattern of recent rescues where maritime security, naval units, and border teams jointly monitor the Calabar estuary and creeks.
Army officials emphasized that the troops followed established ethical guidelines throughout the engagement, particularly the principle of proportional response, which prohibits excessive force when civilians may be at risk.
Humanitarian groups in Cross River have repeatedly warned that kidnappers’ growing use of creeks endangers fishing communities, commercial boat operators, and cross-border traders who rely on the waterways daily.
Tuesday’s rescue, analysts say, may encourage more frequent security patrols, especially following recent complaints from residents that criminals exploit Nigeria–Cameroon boundary gaps to transport hostages undetected.
The Army reiterated that operations in riverine environments will continue as long as militants attempt to use the waterways for abduction, smuggling, or illegal cross-border movement, promising sustained pressure on armed groups.
General Alimikhena urged communities to stay calm, assuring that the Brigade remains “resolute, prepared, and operationally equipped” to respond swiftly to future threats across the Bakassi peninsula.
He emphasized that Tuesday’s success should not be viewed as an isolated breakthrough but as part of a broader security plan designed to deny criminal groups any freedom of action within the state’s maritime environment.
The Army encouraged residents to trust military operations and report early warnings, stating that “timely information often determines the speed and success” of rescue missions in difficult terrains such as Bakassi’s mangrove channels.
The Brigade assured the public that follow-up surveillance is underway to track the fleeing militants, and that joint efforts with Cameroonian security officials may be activated to prevent the suspects from regrouping across the border.
Major Sokoya reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to safeguarding the population, saying the Brigade will “sustain momentum and maintain aggressive patrol patterns” to deter similar abduction attempts in the region.
The Army urged commuters using the waterways to remain vigilant, avoid suspicious charter offers, and cooperate with security checks, which it described as essential measures for preventing further kidnappings along the coast.
Residents of Cross River have responded positively to the rescue, praising the troops’ swift action and calling for permanent military presence along high-risk marine routes that criminals have exploited in recent months.
The successful rescue of four kidnapped victims on Tuesday adds to ongoing efforts by military authorities to restore confidence in coastal communities historically troubled by pirate activity, militant infiltration, and illegal cross-border movement.