The Nigerian Navy has rescued and accounted for 22 passengers who were abducted by suspected sea robbers after their wooden passenger boat was hijacked along the Calabar–Oron–Ibaka waterway in Akwa Ibom State.
The victims were rescued during a coordinated operation involving personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) Sector 4 and the Marine Police.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement at the weekend.
According to him, the incident occurred on August 11, 2026, when the passenger boat, travelling from Henshaw Town Beach in Calabar to Utan Uyata, Ibaka, was intercepted by armed sea robbers shortly after passing Enwang Community.
The attackers reportedly hijacked the vessel and abducted the passengers, prompting security operatives to launch a search-and-rescue operation.
The operation led to the recovery of the hijacked boat and the rescue of 11 passengers who had been abandoned by the suspects at Asak-Ikang Creek.
Another 11 passengers who escaped during the attack were later located at the OPDS Sector 4 command post, bringing the total number of rescued and accounted-for victims to 22.
The passengers were taken to the FOB Ibaka Sickbay for medical assessment and first aid before arrangements were made to return them safely to Calabar alongside the recovered boat.
The Navy confirmed that no ransom was paid for their release.
The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to strengthening maritime security and collaborating with other security agencies to combat criminal activities on the waterways.
