The Nigerian Navy has rescued 22 maritime passengers who were abducted after armed sea robbers hijacked their wooden passenger boat along the Calabar–Oron–Ibaka waterway in Akwa Ibom State.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Navy also recovered the hijacked vessel following a coordinated operation involving personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) Sector 4 and the Marine Police.
The incident occurred on August 11, 2026, when the passenger boat was travelling from Henshaw Town Beach in Calabar to Utan Uyata, Ibaka.
Naval spokesman, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, said the vessel was intercepted by armed sea robbers shortly after passing Enwang Community, leading to the hijacking of the boat and abduction of its passengers.
He said security personnel launched a coordinated search and rescue operation after receiving information about the incident.
According to Folorunsho, the operation resulted in the recovery of the hijacked boat and the rescue of 11 passengers who had been abandoned by the suspected criminals at Asak-Ikang Creek.
“A further 11 passengers who had earlier escaped during the attack were subsequently located and accounted for at the OPDS Sector 4 command post, bringing the total number of rescued and accounted-for victims to 22,” he said.
Folorunsho said 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 vessel.
He added that no ransom was paid for the release of the victims.
The naval spokesman said the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, had reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to strengthening maritime security operations, enhancing inter-agency cooperation and using timely intelligence to prevent criminal elements from operating freely on Nigeria’s waterways.
According to him, the successful rescue demonstrates the Nigerian Navy’s determination to protect lives, safeguard legitimate maritime activities and maintain a secure maritime environment.
He added that the service would continue to work with sister security agencies and other stakeholders to combat sea robbery, kidnapping and other forms of maritime criminality across the country’s waterways.
