The Nigerian Navy has rescued 22 passengers after the hijacking of a wooden passenger boat along the Calabar–Oron–Ibaka waterway.
This is contained in an operational report by the Director of Naval Information, Abiodun Folorunsho, which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
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According to Folorunsho, a Navy captain, the operation was carried out by personnel from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, in cooperation with Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) Sector four and the Marine Police.
He said the operation was carried out following the attack on a passenger boat travelling from Henshaw Town Beach in Calabar to Utan Uyata, Ibaka, on 11 August.
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The boat was reportedly intercepted by armed sea robbers shortly after passing Enwang Community, resulting in the hijacking of the vessel and the abduction of its passengers.
Upon receiving information about the incident, personnel at FOB Ibaka, in collaboration with the security agencies, began coordinated efforts to locate the victims and recover the hijacked boat.
“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,” he said.
The naval director of information also revealed that a further 11 passengers who had earlier escaped during the attack were later located and accounted for at the OPDS Sector Four command post, bringing the total number of rescued and accounted-for victims to 22.
He said that all the rescued passengers were subsequently taken to the FOB Ibaka Sickbay for medical assessment and first aid before arrangements were made for their safe return to Calabar, along with the recovered passenger boat.
Folorunsho stated that no ransom was paid for the victims’ release.
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According to him, the successful rescue further highlights the Navy’s commitment to saving lives, protecting lawful maritime activities, and upholding a secure maritime environment.
He stated that the service would maintain operations in collaboration with sister security agencies and other stakeholders to combat sea robbery, kidnapping, and other maritime crimes. Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Chidozie Okehie, a rear admiral, reaffirmed the Navy’s dedication to maintaining strong maritime security efforts.
He stated that the Navy would keep enhancing inter-agency cooperation and utilise timely intelligence to prevent criminals from operating freely along the country’s waterways.
(NAN)
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