The Nigerian Navy has rescued seven persons following a boat collision along the Ogboinbiri waterways in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
In a statement issued on Monday, Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the rescue operation was launched after a distress call reported a collision involving a Tantita patrol boat and a wooden market boat.
According to the Navy, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH were immediately deployed to the scene, where they carried out a swift search and rescue mission that led to the successful evacuation of seven victims.
The rescued persons were taken to a nearby medical facility for urgent treatment, while efforts remain ongoing to locate other missing passengers.
The Navy said the operation reflects its continued commitment to safeguarding lives within Nigeria’s maritime domain, in line with the vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.
It noted that the latest rescue adds to a series of recent humanitarian and emergency response operations carried out across the country’s waterways.
Among them are the rescue of 16 passengers during a sea robbery incident in the Ibaka–Calabar Channel in March 2026, 20 crew members from a burning vessel near Calabar in December 2025, 10 crew members from a distressed vessel in Calabar waters in November 2025, and 17 kidnapped victims in Calabar waterways in October 2025.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its readiness to continue deploying personnel and maritime assets for rapid response to emergencies in line with global best practices.
