The Nigerian Navy has rescued 22 passengers following the hijack of a wooden passenger boat along the Calabar–Oron–Ibaka waterway.
This is contained in an operational report by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, made available on Friday in Abuja.
According to Folorunsho, the operation was conducted by personnel of Forward Operating Base, FOB, Ibaka, in collaboration with Operation Delta Safe, OPDS, Sector four and the Marine Police.
He said the operation was conducted following the attack on a passenger boat travelling from Henshaw Town Beach in Calabar to Utan Uyata, Ibaka on August 11.
“The boat was reportedly intercepted by armed sea robbers shortly after passing Enwang Community, resulting in the hijacking of the vessel and the abduction of its passengers.
“Upon receipt of information on the incident, personnel of FOB Ibaka, in coordination with the collaborating security agencies, commenced coordinated efforts to locate the victims and recover the hijacked boat.
“The sustained response resulted in the recovery of the hijacked passenger boat and the rescue of 11 victims who had been abandoned by the suspected criminals at Asak-Ikang Creek,” he said.
The naval director of information also disclosed that a further 11 passengers who had earlier escaped during the attack were subsequently located and accounted for at the OPDS Sector four command post, bringing the total number of rescued and accounted-for victims to 22.
He said that all the rescued passengers were subsequently 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 passenger boat.
Folorunsho said that no ransom was paid for the release of the victims.
According to him, the successful rescue further demonstrates the navy’s determination to protect lives, safeguard legitimate maritime activities and maintain a secure maritime environment.
He said the service would continue to sustain operations in collaboration with sister security agencies and other stakeholders to counter sea robbery, kidnapping and other forms of maritime criminality.
The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Chidozie Okehie, reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to sustaining robust maritime security operations.
He said the navy would continue to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and leverage on timely intelligence to deny criminal elements freedom of action along the nation’s waterways.
Source: NAN
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