Nigerian Navy Rescues 22 Passengers from Hijacked Boat

On August 11, 2026, the Nigerian Navy successfully rescued 22 passengers from a wooden passenger boat that had been hijacked by suspected sea robbers along the Calabar-Oron-Ibaka waterway. The operation was led by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director Naval Information, and involved personnel from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) Sector 4, and the Marine Police.

The boat was intercepted shortly after leaving Henshaw Town Beach in Calabar, en route to Utan Uyata, Ibaka, and passing Enwang Community. Following the rescue, all passengers were taken to the FOB Ibaka Sickbay for medical assessment and first aid before being returned safely to Calabar, along with the recovered boat.

Notably, no ransom was paid for the release of the victims. Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy's commitment to enhancing maritime security and collaborating with other security agencies to combat sea robbery and maritime criminality.