Tuesday, March, 10 2026 - The Nigerian Navy has foiled a suspected sea robbery attempt and rescued 16 passengers along the Ibaka–Calabar Channel during a swift, coordinated maritime security operation conducted on Sunday, 8 March 2026.
The Director of Naval Information, Capt. A.A. Folorunsho
said in a statement on Monday that the operation was based on credible
intelligence indicating suspicious maritime criminal activity around Buoy 12
along the strategic Ibaka–Calabar maritime corridor.
He said that acting on the intelligence, gunboats from the
Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) IBAKA were immediately vectored to
the area to intercept the suspected criminals and deny them freedom of action
and restore order within the channel.
Folorunsho explained that the naval patrol team encountered
suspected sea robbers who had intercepted and taken control of a fibre
passenger boat conveying civilians from Ibaka in Akwa Ibom State to Bakassi in
Cameroon.
“They were holding the civilians hostage with the aim of
kidnapping them into the creeks. In a decisive demonstration of operational
readiness and naval force, the Nigerian Navy gunboats engaged the criminals,
rescued the hostages and compelled them to flee into the shallow creeks
adjacent to the channel.
He said the prompt intervention by the naval patrol team led
to the rescue of the fibre boat and all 16 passengers who had been held hostage
by the suspected criminals, adding that all rescued passengers were confirmed
safe, unharmed and in good health
Naval spokesman stated that in line with established
operational procedures, the passengers were subsequently escorted by Nigerian
Navy personnel to the Nigeria–Cameroon maritime border to ensure their safe
passage and continuation of the journey.
“This successful operation reflects the Nigerian Navy’s
sustained operational presence and proactive posture in safeguarding Nigeria’s
maritime environment.
“It also aligns with the broader vision of the Chief of the
Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Admiralty Medal, to develop a modern,
agile and professional naval force that can secure Nigeria’s maritime interests
and advance national security objectives,” he said.
According to him, the rescue mission also reflects the
commitment of the Nigerian Navy to ensure that Nigerian waters are safe and
secure for commercial trade.
He reassured maritime stakeholders and the general public of
the Nigerian Navy unwavering resolve to combat maritime crime, protect lives
and property at sea, and maintain a secure maritime environment for legitimate
economic and commercial activities.
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