Piracy: Police to launch maritime security onslaught in Calabar

The Cross River State constabulary bid says it volition soon embark connected Operation VELVET astatine the Dolphin Marine Base to curb piracy and different maritime crimes successful the Calabar waterways,

Between April and August 2026, determination was a resurgence of abductions successful Calabar, with 3 reported cases connected the waterways; however, associated forces of the navy, constabulary and authorities successful neighbouring Akwa Ibom and Cross River States ensured the harmless instrumentality of the victims.

The Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, said the motorboat of Operation Velvet is aimed astatine extending the information violative beyond onshore to the State’s maritime corridors.

The Commissioner disclosed this successful Calabar on Monday, erstwhile helium ordered Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Heads of Formations crossed the authorities to heighten information and intensify highly visible, intelligence-driven patrols up of the 2026 Ember play and the forthcoming Yuletide season.

He said, “The maritime cognition volition complement intensified onshore patrols and fortify surveillance and information sum crossed the waterways, ...