Senator Ekong Sampson (Akwa Ibom South) has raised alarm rising socieity threats along the Calabar–Oron waterways.
The Senator moved the motion during plenary on Thursday calling for a comprehensive investigation and the urgent need to fast-track the reconstruction of the Calabar–Itu–Odukpani highway.
Moving the motion under Order 42 of the Senate Standing Rules, Sampson drew the attention of lawmakers to what he described as a heart-rending incident involving the hijack of a commercial ferry and the abduction of no fewer than 15 passengers by suspected sea pirates along the Calabar-Oron water corridor.
The Lawmaker noted with grave concern that the victims, who were travelling from Calabar to Oron, were violently seized mid-sea, with eyewitness accounts indicating that armed pirates commandeered the vessel and whisked the passengers away to unknown destinations.
The lawmaker further disclosed that among those abducted were young Nigerians reportedly traveling to sit for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), warning that the incident has not only endangered lives, distraught families of victims but also disrupted the educational aspirations of the affected candidates.
He expressed deep concern that despite previous interventions by security agencies, the waterways have remained vulnerable to piracy, kidnapping, smuggling, and armed robbery, thereby threatening commerce and inter-state connectivity.
Senator Sampson lamented that the deplorable condition of the Calabar-Itu highway has forced many commuters to use the Calabar-Oron waterways. He called for expedited attention from the Federal Government towards the reconstruction of the road.
The Senate, through the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, presiding, in adopting Sampson’s motion, condemned the abduction. The Lawmakers in adopting the prayers raised by the motion, urged improved coordinated security operations to ensure the safe and unconditional release of the abducted passengers and sustained surveillance of the coastlines.
The Senate further directed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to explore safer alternatives that would reduce the need for candidates to travel across states to sit for the UTME.
Importantly, the Senate also mandated the Federal Ministry of Works to expedite action on the Calabar–Itu–Odukpani highway project, noting that improved road infrastructure would significantly reduce dependence on the waterways and enhance the safety of commuters.