By Ike Uchechukwu, Calabar
Seventeen individuals who were taken hostage nearly two weeks ago on the Calabar-Oron waterways have now been released.
At the time this article was written, it remained unclear if all 17 abducted passengers had been accounted for and freed.
According to reliable sources, those who were rescued are currently undergoing medical evaluation and treatment at a state-run hospital in Calabar.
The abduction took place on Thursday, September 25, when a group of armed assailants seized control of a commercial ferry operated by Sea Express Limited. The boat, carrying approximately 30 passengers, was en route from Calabar in Cross River State to Oron in Akwa Ibom State when the attack occurred.