13 Brigade Troops Rescue 18 Passengers After Boat Hijacking on Nigeria–Cameroon Route
Troops of the 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have successfully rescued 18 passengers, including two infants, following the hijacking of a passenger boat along the Nigeria–Cameroon waterway.
The incident occurred on 11 January 2026, when suspected sea pirates, operating in two speedboats and a wooden boat, intercepted a passenger vessel travelling from Nigeria to Cameroon. The assailants abducted the passengers around the Kombo Fishing Port within Cameroonian waters.
Acting on a distress call, troops of 13 Brigade deployed from Ikang swiftly pursued the attackers. During the operation, an exchange of fire ensued, forcing one of the pirates’ speedboats to capsize. The criminals subsequently abandoned their captives and fled into nearby creeks, allowing troops to rescue all 18 passengers unharmed.
Commending the troops for their swift and professional response, the Commander of 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General P.O. Alimikhena, said the successful operation reflects the courage and commitment of the personnel to safeguarding lives and securing the waterways. He reaffirmed the Brigade’s determination to dominate its area of responsibility and counter all forms of criminal activity.
The Brigade Commander also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and useful information to support security operations, stressing that community cooperation remains vital to maintaining safety across Cross River State.
The rescue operation underscores the Nigerian Army’s continued efforts to secure regional waterways and protect civilians from maritime criminal activities.
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