By Asuquo Cletus
The Nigerian Navy has arrested a man suspected of supplying arms and providing logistical support to militants operating in the waterways of Cross River State.
The suspect, identified as Ubong Clement, was apprehended by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory deployed at the Forward Security Outpost on Dayspring Island in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of the state.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the suspect was subsequently handed over to the Department of State Services in Calabar for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Navy said the arrest was part of ongoing intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling militant networks and criminal activities within the Calabar waterways.
Folorunsho disclosed that preliminary investigations linked the suspect to members of militant groups operating around the Dayspring Island axis.
He alleged that the suspect maintained regular contact with militants and engaged in activities capable of undermining ongoing security operations in the area.
The statement further claimed that intelligence reports connected the suspect to a notorious militant identified as Steven Joseph, also known as “Juju,” who is allegedly involved in criminal activities within the waterways.
According to the Navy, investigations revealed that Clement allegedly served as a channel for the disposal of goods stolen from market boats attacked by militants. The proceeds from the sales were reportedly remitted to members of the militant network, providing financial and logistical support for their operations.
“The arrest and handover of the suspect demonstrate the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to dismantling not only militant groups but also the support structures that sustain their activities,” the statement read.
The Navy added that disrupting local collaborators and financiers remained a key strategy in degrading the operational capabilities of criminal groups operating within the maritime environment.
Folorunsho reaffirmed the service’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations, community engagement and targeted security measures aimed at restoring peace and ensuring the safety of residents and maritime users within the Calabar waterways and adjoining communities.
