By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Nigerian Navy has recorded a major operational success against maritime criminality with the rescue of 22 passengers and the recovery of a hijacked wooden passenger boat along the Calabar–Oron–Ibaka waterway.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, in Abuja.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on 11 August 2026. The passenger boat was travelling from Henshaw Town Beach in Calabar to Utan Uyata, Ibaka, when armed sea robbers intercepted it shortly after passing Enwang Community.
The criminals hijacked the vessel and abducted its passengers.
Personnel of Forward Operating Base, FOB Ibaka, in collaboration with Operation Delta Safe, OPDS Sector 4, and the Marine Police, immediately launched a coordinated operation to locate the victims and recover the boat.
The sustained response led to the recovery of the hijacked passenger boat and the rescue of 11 victims who the suspected criminals at Asak-Ikang Creek had abandoned.
An additional 11 passengers who had escaped during the attack were later located and accounted for at the OPDS Sector 4 command post. This brought the total number of rescued and accounted-for victims to 22.
All 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.
The Navy confirmed that no ransom was paid for the victims’ release.
The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to sustaining robust maritime security operations and strengthening inter-agency collaboration to deny criminal elements freedom of action along the nation’s waterways.
The statement added that the successful rescue demonstrates the Navy’s determination to protect lives, safeguard legitimate maritime activities, and maintain a secure maritime environment.
