Nigerian Navy Enforces 13-Hour Movement Restriction

The Nigerian Navy has implemented a 13-hour restriction on maritime movement along the Calabar–Oron water channel, effective from 5:00 PM to 6:00 AM, to address the increasing criminality in the area. This measure is part of a broader effort to enhance surveillance and improve response times to incidents of piracy, smuggling, and other unlawful activities.

Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, stated that the restriction aims to tackle the rising incidents of kidnapping and extortion affecting riverine communities. The Navy's operations have intensified, including the establishment of a forward operating base at Ibaka and the deployment of naval ships to maintain pressure on criminal elements.

Recent operations have led to the discovery and destruction of militant hideouts linked to notorious suspects, with two boats seized during the process. The Nigerian Navy remains committed to flushing out criminal elements from the maritime environment to ensure safety for legitimate users of the waterways.