Pirates attack boat, kidnap passengers

Witnesses said the occupants were seized without any possible clue on their whereabouts. The boat was said to be owned by one Apostle Edet Johnson of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star whose family and church members have appealed for the release of the occupants.
Three weeks ago, a gang of pirates attacked a speed boat and killed some passengers, including a naval personnel.
Navy personnel were reported to have stopped all passenger boats and seafarers from travelling along the dangerous Calabar-Oron route in an effort to fish out perpetrators.
The Eastern Naval Command officer in charge of public information, Ayi Bassey, had earlier denied upsurge in maritime crime on the Calabar Waterway.