The Nigerian Navy has rescued and accounted for 22 passengers who were abducted by suspected sea robbers after their passenger boat was hijacked along the Calabar–Oron–Ibaka waterway in Akwa Ibom State.
The incident occurred on August 11, 2026, when the wooden passenger boat, travelling from Henshaw Town Beach in Calabar to Utan Uyata, Ibaka, was intercepted by armed suspected sea robbers shortly after passing Enwang Community.
Following the attack, personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, in collaboration with Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) Sector 4 and the Marine Police, launched a coordinated operation to locate the victims and recover the hijacked vessel.
According to the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, 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.
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Another 11 passengers who 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 passengers to 22.
The victims were 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 boat.
The Navy also confirmed that 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 and working with other security agencies to tackle sea robbery, kidnapping and other criminal activities along Nigeria’s waterways.
He said the successful operation demonstrated the Navy’s determination to protect lives, secure legitimate maritime activities and prevent criminal elements from operating freely on the nation’s waterways.
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