Nigerian troops rescued at least 18 passengers traveling to Cameroon after suspected sea pirates hijacked their boat along the Calabar–Cameroon waterways, the army said on Monday, underscoring persistent security threats on the region's maritime routes.

The attack occurred after the commercial passenger boat was intercepted by armed men operating two speedboats and a wooden vessel near Kombo, a fishing port within Cameroonian waters, according to the Nigerian Army's 13 Brigade.

Semi Sokoya, assistant director of public relations at the brigade headquarters, said the military responded swiftly after receiving a distress call from the area.

"The pirates abandoned the victims and fled into the surrounding creeks. All the passengers were rescued unharmed," Sokoya said.

Troops deployed from Ikang pursued the attackers, leading to an exchange of gunfire in which one of the pirates’ speedboats capsized, the army said.

The Commander of the 13 Brigade, Brigadier-General Patrick Alimikhena, praised the troops for what he described as a swift and professional operation.

The successful rescue, he said, demonstrated the "courage, professionalism and commitment of the troops to protecting lives and securing the waterways."

Alimikhena added that the brigade would continue to dominate its area of responsibility and urged residents to support security agencies with timely information, stressing that community cooperation was vital to sustaining peace and security in Cross River State.

Maritime abductions have become an increasingly common crime in southern Nigeria, particularly along coastal and riverine routes linking Cross River, Akwa Ibom and neighboring Cameroon. In April 2025, suspected pirates abducted 20 passengers traveling by boat from Oron in Akwa Ibom State to Cross River State. About four months later, in September 2025, another 17 passengers were seized in a separate incident.

Edited by CGTN Africa reporter Marion Gachuhi