Navy Destroys Militants’ Hideout, Recovers Boats,10 Engines In Cross River

Nigerian Navy have cleared militants and kidnappers’ hideouts in Dayspring Island of Cross River State.

It confiscated two boats and recovered 10 boats engines.

A statement by the naval spokesperson, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, explained that personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) VICTORY and Forward Operating Base (FOB) IBAKA, conducted clearance operations which led to the destruction of a key militant hideout, the establishment of a forward security outpost at Idung 1 (Peacock Crossing) and the arrest of a suspected collaborator.

He said the troops during a follow-up operation, uncovered 10 outboard boat engines concealed within adjoining bushes and inside a nearby structure to the destroyed residence linked to a suspected militant known as “Juju.”

In a related operation following credible intelligence, the troops advanced into a creek near Akpamfi, where additional militant logistics were concealed.

He said the militants on sighting advancing naval personnel, fled and abandoned two fibre boats and one 200-horsepower outboard engine.

He said the equipment was confiscated and towed to the naval security outpost. According to him, these sustained operations are part of a deliberate effort to dismantle the logistics backbone of militant groups, as fibre boats and high-powered outboard engines remain critical enablers of their criminal activities across the waterways. He reiterated that the continued offensive has significantly degraded the operational capability of the militants, restricted their movement, and denied them safe havens within the area.

He therefore, reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to sustaining this pressure and will continue follow-up operations until all criminal elements are completely flushed out and the waterways are secured for legitimate activities.