Navy rescues 22 victims of sea robbery, recovers hijacked boat.

The Nigerian Navy has successfully rescued 22 passengers following the hijacking of a wooden passenger boat along the Calabar–Oron–Ibaka waterway. The operation, detailed in a report by the Director of Naval Information, Abiodun Folorunsho, was a collaborative effort involving personnel from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) Sector four, and the Marine Police.

The incident occurred on August 11 when the boat, traveling from Henshaw Town Beach in Calabar to Utan Uyata, Ibaka, was intercepted by armed sea robbers shortly after passing Enwang Community. The vessel was hijacked, and its passengers abducted. Upon receiving information, security agencies launched coordinated efforts to locate the victims and recover the boat.

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The sustained response led to the recovery of the hijacked passenger boat and the rescue of 11 victims whom the suspected criminals at Asak-Ikang Creek had abandoned.

The sustained response led to the recovery of the hijacked boat and the rescue of 11 victims abandoned by the suspected criminals at Asak-Ikang Creek. An additional 11 passengers, who had escaped during the attack, were later accounted for at the OPDS Sector Four command post, bringing the total number of rescued individuals to 22.

All rescued passengers were taken to the FOB Ibaka Sickbay for medical assessment and first aid. Arrangements were made for their safe return to Calabar, along with the recovered boat. Navy officials confirmed that no ransom was paid for the release of the victims, highlighting the Navy's commitment to maritime security and combating criminal activities on the waterways.

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The Navy would keep enhancing inter-agency cooperation and utilise timely intelligence to prevent criminals from operating freely along the country’s waterways.