Nigeria, April 25 -- Gunmen suspected to be pirates have abducted 20 passengers who were travelling in a boat from Oron in Akwa Ibom State to Cross River State, Nigeria's south-south.

Passengers to both states now prefer to travel by water because the Calabar-Itu Federal Highway is dilapidated.

The abduction happened on 18 April, seven days ago.

According to the manifest seen by our reporter, the boat is owned by a private transport company called Akwa Cross Boat Management Ltd.

Timfon John, the police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom, confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday.

"It happened in Calabar, not Akwa Ibom," Ms John, a deputy superintendent of police, said.

She, however, said the police in Akwa Ibom were collaborating wit...