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 was carried out on August 11, 2026, by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, working with Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) Sector 4 and the Marine Police.
The incident occurred after the passenger boat, which was travelling from Henshaw Town Beach in Calabar to Utan Uyata, Ibaka, was intercepted by armed suspected sea robbers shortly after passing Enwang Community.
According to the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the passengers were abducted while the boat was taken away by the attackers.
Following a distress alert, naval personnel and other security agencies launched a coordinated search operation to locate the victims and recover the vessel.
The operation led to the recovery of the hijacked boat and the rescue of 11 passengers who had reportedly been abandoned at Asak-Ikang Creek. Another 11 passengers who escaped during the attack were later found at the OPDS Sector 4 command post.
“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.”
The rescued passengers were taken to the FOB Ibaka Sickbay for medical checks and first aid before arrangements were made to return them safely to Calabar with the recovered boat.
The Navy said no ransom was paid for the passengers’ release.
The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to improving security on Nigeria’s waterways through stronger intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies.
He said the successful operation demonstrated the Navy’s determination to protect lives, secure legitimate maritime activities and prevent criminals from operating freely along the nation’s waterways.
The Navy also pledged to continue working with sister agencies and other stakeholders to tackle sea robbery, kidnapping and other maritime crimes across the country.
Source: Nigerian Navy.
