The Nigerian Navy, working alongside Operation Delta Safe Sector 4 and the Marine Police, has rescued 22 passengers who were attacked by suspected sea robbers along the Calabar-Oron-Ibaka waterway in Cross River State.
The Punch reported that the incident occurred on Tuesday when a wooden passenger boat travelling from Henshaw Town Beach in Calabar to Utan Uyata, Ibaka, was reportedly hijacked.
The Commanding Officer of the Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, Navy Capt. Adebowale Omotosho, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to the statement, the boat was attacked shortly after passing Enwang community when five armed men operating a speedboat intercepted it and seized control of the vessel and its passengers.
Omotosho said, “Responding swiftly to intelligence reports, naval personnel launched sustained patrols and established a strategic naval blockade along the creek networks.”
He explained that the security operation compelled the suspected kidnappers to abandon both the passengers and the hijacked boat at Asak-Ikang Creek on Wednesday before escaping towards Oron.
The statement disclosed that naval personnel, supported by other security agencies, immediately searched the creek and rescued 11 passengers who had been abandoned by the attackers.
Another 11 passengers who managed to escape during the initial assault were subsequently found and debriefed at the Operation Delta Safe Sector 4 command post.
“This brings the total number of accounted-for victims to 22,” the statement said.
The rescued passengers were taken to the FOB Ibaka Sickbay, where they received medical attention and first aid before being stabilised.
“After being stabilised, they were escorted back to Calabar alongside the successfully recovered passenger boat,” the statement added.
The Navy said no ransom was paid during the operation.
Reacting to the rescue, the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chiedozie Okehie, reaffirmed the Navy’s determination to protect Nigeria’s maritime domain and ensure the safety of citizens using the nation’s waterways.
Okehie said the Navy would maintain its patrols, deepen collaboration with other security agencies and make effective use of intelligence to tackle maritime criminality.
He also assured residents and passengers using the waterways that the Navy remained committed to protecting legitimate maritime activities and keeping the nation’s waterways safe.
