The Nigerian Navy has rescued 22 passengers following the hijacking of a wooden passenger boat along the Calabar–Oron–Ibaka waterway, with no ransom paid for their release.
The operation was conducted by personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, in collaboration with Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) Sector Four and the Marine Police, according to an operational report released by the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, in Abuja on Friday.
The incident occurred on August 11 when the passenger boat, travelling from Henshaw Town Beach in Calabar to Utan Uyata, Ibaka, was reportedly intercepted by armed sea robbers shortly after passing Enwang Community. The criminals hijacked the vessel and abducted its passengers.
Upon receiving information about the attack, FOB Ibaka personnel, in coordination with collaborating security agencies, launched immediate efforts to locate the victims and recover the hijacked boat.
“The sustained response resulted in the recovery of the hijacked passenger boat and the rescue of 11 victims who had been abandoned by the suspected criminals at Asak-Ikang Creek,” Folorunsho stated.
He further disclosed that an additional 11 passengers who had escaped during the attack were subsequently located and accounted for at the OPDS Sector Four command post, bringing the total number of rescued victims to 22.
All rescued passengers were taken to the FOB Ibaka Sickbay for medical assessment and first aid before arrangements were made for their safe return to Calabar, alongside the recovered passenger boat. Folorunsho confirmed that no ransom was paid for the victims’ release.
“The successful rescue further demonstrates the Navy’s determination to protect lives, safeguard legitimate maritime activities, and maintain a secure maritime environment,” he said, adding that the service would continue to sustain operations in collaboration with sister security agencies and other stakeholders to counter sea robbery, kidnapping, and other forms of maritime criminality.
The Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to sustaining robust maritime security operations, stating that the service would continue to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and leverage timely intelligence to deny criminal elements freedom of action along the nation’s waterways.
