Nigerian Navy Raids Dayspring Island, Destroys Militant Base in Cross River
Oru Leonard
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on maritime crime, launching a decisive operation that dismantled a suspected militant network along the Calabar–Oron waterways in Cross River State.
Naval authorities confirmed that troops from Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) VICTORY and Forward Operating Base (FOB) IBAKA carried out coordinated clearance operations on Dayspring Island, following a spike in kidnappings and related criminal activities in the area.
The offensive, supported by the establishment of a forward security outpost at Idung 1, also known as Peacock Crossing, forced suspected militants to flee under pressure from advancing forces. Personnel of the Nigerian Army 13 Brigade joined the operation, helping to secure critical waterways and restrict the movement of criminal elements.
During the sweep, troops uncovered and demolished a hideout believed to be linked to a notorious suspect identified as “Juju” in the Idung axis. The suspect reportedly escaped, abandoning two boats equipped with outboard engines, which were subsequently seized by security forces.
In a related development, security operatives arrested a suspected informant accused of aiding the militant group. The individual is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation ahead of prosecution.
To consolidate the gains of the operation, the Navy has imposed a 13-hour restriction on maritime movement within the affected area, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., aimed at choking off criminal activities and restoring order in the waterways.
Naval authorities said the sustained offensive has significantly weakened the operational capacity of the militants, disrupted their logistics, and curtailed their activities in the region.
The Nigerian Navy reiterated its commitment to maintaining a strong presence across the nation’s maritime domain, vowing to sustain ongoing operations until all criminal elements are eliminated and waterways are fully secured for legitimate economic activities.
