Nigerian Navy Rescues 22 Sea Robbery Victims, Recovers Hijacked Boat in Akwa Ibom

Nigerian Navy Rescues 22 Sea Robbery Victims, Recovers Hijacked Boat in Akwa Ibom
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 by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, in collaboration with Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) Sector 4 and the Marine Police, following the attack on August 11, 2026.
The passenger boat was travelling from Henshaw Town Beach in Calabar to Utan Uyata, Ibaka, when it was reportedly intercepted by armed sea robbers shortly after passing Enwang Community. The attackers hijacked the vessel and abducted the passengers.
Following receipt of the incident report, personnel of FOB Ibaka, working with the collaborating security agencies, launched a coordinated search operation to locate the victims and recover the hijacked boat.
The operation led to the recovery of the passenger boat and the rescue of 11 victims who had been abandoned by the suspected criminals at Asak-Ikang Creek.
Another 11 passengers who had 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.
The rescued passengers were taken to the FOB Ibaka Sickbay, where they underwent medical assessment and received first aid before arrangements were made for their safe return to Calabar with the recovered boat.
The Nigerian Navy said no ransom was paid for the release of the victims.
The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to strengthening maritime security operations and enhancing collaboration with sister security agencies.
He also stressed the importance of timely intelligence in denying criminal elements freedom of action along Nigeria’s waterways.
The successful operation, according to the Navy, underscores its determination to protect lives, safeguard legitimate maritime activities and maintain a secure maritime environment.
The Service assured that it would continue sustained operations in collaboration with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to combat sea robbery, kidnapping and other forms of maritime criminality across the nation’s waterways.