By Kingsley Omonobi
The Nigerian Navy has rescued 22 passengers following the hijacking of a wooden passenger boat by suspected sea robbers along the Calabar–Oron–Ibaka waterway in Akwa Ibom State.
The operation, conducted on August 11, 2026, was carried out by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, in collaboration with Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) Sector 4 and the Marine Police.
The operation followed an attack on a passenger boat travelling from Henshaw Town Beach in Calabar to Utan Uyata, Ibaka.
Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement, saying the boat was intercepted by armed sea robbers shortly after passing Enwang Community.
According to him, the passengers were abducted while the vessel was hijacked.
“Following receipt of the distress information, personnel of FOB Ibaka and the collaborating security agencies launched a coordinated operation to locate the victims and recover the hijacked boat.
“The operation resulted in the recovery of the vessel and the rescue of 11 passengers who had been abandoned by the suspected criminals at Asak-Ikang Creek.
“Another 11 passengers who had escaped during the attack were subsequently located at the OPDS Sector 4 command post, bringing the total number of rescued and accounted-for victims to 22,” he said.
Folorunsho said the 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 boat.
He added that no ransom was paid for their release.
The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to strengthening maritime security, enhancing inter-agency cooperation and leveraging timely intelligence to deny criminals freedom of action along the nation’s waterways.
Okehie said the successful operation underscored the Navy’s determination to protect lives, safeguard legitimate maritime activities and maintain a secure maritime environment.
He added that the Nigerian Navy would continue to work with sister security agencies and other stakeholders to combat sea robbery, kidnapping and other forms of maritime criminality across the country’s waterways.
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