Seafood shortages have hit markets in Calabar following last week’s reported abduction of seven fishermen and seafarers in Cameroonian waters near Bakassi.
The incident, which involved some Nigerian nationals, has disrupted fishing activities in the area, leaving traders and consumers grappling with rising prices.
Market surveys on Monday showed sharp increases in the cost of fish, crayfish, and other seafood staples.
Traders said supplies from the Bakassi axis, which traditionally feeds Calabar markets, have slowed to a trickle since the kidnapping. A basket of crayfish that sold for about ₦45,000 now goes for over ₦60,000, while fresh fish prices have nearly doubled.
“The supply line has been broken because fishermen are scared to go back to sea,” said Eno Okon, a trader at Watt Market. “Most of us are buying from limited stock, and that is why the prices are going up.”
Residents expressed concern that the shortages could worsen if the crisis is not resolved. Seafood is a dietary staple in Cross River State, and the sudden scarcity threatens both household budgets and local food security.
Security sources confirmed the abduction but offered no details on rescue efforts. Maritime safety in the Gulf of Guinea has been a recurring issue, with fishermen and traders frequently targeted by armed groups operating across Nigerian and Cameroonian waters.
Civil society groups have called on the governments of Nigeria and Cameroon to strengthen joint patrols and provide better protection for fishing communities. Until then, traders warn, the markets will remain volatile and consumers will continue to bear the brunt of insecurity at sea.
