Army Rescues Four Kidnapped Victims in Bakassi Waterway Clash

Troops from the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army executed a precise waterborne operation on December 2, 2025, rescuing four kidnapped civilians from armed militants in Bakassi, Cross River State ​. During a routine patrol to secure vital waterways, soldiers intercepted a speedboat carrying the victims toward Isangele Achibong in Cameroon, prompting militants to open fire in a bid to escape ​. The troops responded with overwhelming force, compelling the kidnappers to abandon their captives and belongings before fleeing into nearby creeks, with no casualties reported among the military personnel ​.

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Brigade Commander Brigadier General P.O. Alimikhena praised the troops’ courage, vigilance, and tactical prowess, underscoring the unit’s readiness to counter threats in riverine areas ​. He affirmed the brigade’s ongoing commitment to dismantling criminal syndicates preying on coastal communities and protecting Cross River residents ​. The statement, issued by Major Yemi Sokoya, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for 13 Brigade on December 3, highlighted this success as evidence of sustained operational discipline ​.

This incident aligns with broader military efforts, including a nationwide offensive from November 29 to December 1, 2025, where troops eliminated eight terrorists, detained 51 suspects, freed 27 hostages, and recovered illicit arms ​. Bakassi’s waterways remain a hotspot for such cross-border crimes, exacerbated by historical separatist activities involving pirate-style raids and kidnappings ​. The rescue bolsters confidence in the Nigerian Army’s capacity to secure volatile border zones amid rising insecurity challenges ​.