Nigerian Navy rescues 22 passengers…

The Nigerian Navy has rescued and accounted for 22 passengers after armed sea robbers reportedly hijacked a passenger boat along the Calabar–Oron–Ibaka waterway in Akwa Ibom State.

Key Highlights

• Nigerian Navy rescues 22 passengers after armed sea robbers allegedly hijacked a passenger boat in Akwa Ibom State.
• The incident occurred on August 11 along the Calabar–Oron–Ibaka waterway.
• The boat was reportedly intercepted shortly after passing Enwang Community while travelling from Henshaw Town Beach, Calabar, to Utan Uyata, Ibaka.
• 11 passengers were rescued after being abandoned by the attackers at Asak-Ikang Creek.
• Another 11 passengers escaped during the attack and were later located and accounted for at an Operation Delta Safe command post.

The incident occurred on August 11 when the wooden boat, travelling from Henshaw Town Beach in Calabar to Utan Uyata, Ibaka, was allegedly intercepted by armed men shortly after passing Enwang Community.

The attackers reportedly took control of the vessel and abducted the passengers, triggering a joint search and rescue operation involving the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies.

The Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, said personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, working with Operation Delta Safe Sector Four and the Marine Police, immediately launched efforts to locate the passengers and recover the vessel.

According to him, the operation led to the recovery of the hijacked boat and the rescue of 11 passengers who had allegedly been abandoned by the attackers at Asak-Ikang Creek.

Another 11 passengers who managed to escape during the incident were later located and accounted for at the Operation Delta Safe Sector Four command post.

The development brought the total number of passengers rescued or located to 22.

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Folorunsho said the passengers were taken to the FOB Ibaka Sickbay for medical checks and first aid treatment before arrangements were made to return them safely to Calabar.

The recovered boat was also secured and prepared for the return journey.

The Navy stated that no ransom was paid to secure the release of the passengers.

Folorunsho described the operation as a demonstration of the Navy’s efforts to protect lives and support legitimate activities on Nigeria’s waterways.

He said the service would continue to collaborate with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to combat sea robbery, kidnapping and other forms of maritime crime.

The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Chidozie Okehie, also reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to improving security across the region’s waterways.

Okehie stressed the importance of intelligence sharing and stronger cooperation among security agencies, saying the Navy would continue to strengthen its operations to prevent criminal elements from using Nigeria’s waterways as safe havens.