The Nigerian Navy has intensified follow-up operations around Dayspring Island and adjoining creek communities in Cross River State, dismantling militant hideouts and disrupting their logistics networks.
Navy spokesperson, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said in a statement on Tuesday that the sustained operations have significantly degraded the militants’ operational capacity and denied them safe havens used to launch attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure.
According to him, the latest phase of the operation followed an earlier offensive on Sunday by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory and Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, which led to the destruction of a major hideout, the establishment of a forward security post at Idung 1 (Peacock Crossing), and the arrest of a suspected collaborator.
Since then, naval personnel have maintained continuous pressure across identified enclaves, preventing regrouping and restricting movement within the waterways.
In a follow-up operation on Monday, troops reportedly discovered 10 outboard boat engines hidden in nearby bushes and inside a structure believed to be linked to a notorious militant identified as “Juju”.
The Navy said the structure was located close to a previously destroyed residence associated with the suspect, indicating continued use of the area as a logistics base.
In another operation triggered by fresh intelligence, naval troops advanced into a creek near Akpamfi, where militants had concealed additional equipment.
On sighting the advancing personnel, the militants fled, abandoning two fibre boats and a 200-horsepower outboard engine, which were subsequently recovered and moved to the naval outpost.
Folorunsho said the confiscated items are critical enablers of illegal activities on the waterways, particularly for smuggling and other criminal operations across riverine routes.
He added that the ongoing offensive is aimed at dismantling the logistics backbone of militant groups and ensuring they no longer have access to mobility assets needed for attacks.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal elements in the region, saying operations will continue until all identified hideouts are cleared and the waterways are secured for legitimate economic activities.
