The Nigerian Navy has rescued 22 passengers following the hijacking of a wooden passenger boat by suspected sea robbers along the Calabar–Oron–Ibaka waterway in Akwa Ibom State.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, when the passenger boat, travelling from Henshaw Town Beach in Calabar to Utan Uyata, Ibaka, was intercepted by armed sea robbers shortly after passing Enwang Community.
The suspected criminals reportedly hijacked the boat and abducted the passengers, prompting a coordinated search and rescue operation by personnel of the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, in collaboration with Operation Delta Safe Sector 4 and the Marine Police.
The operation led to the recovery of the hijacked passenger boat and the rescue of 11 victims who had been abandoned by the suspected sea robbers at Asak-Ikang Creek.
Another 11 passengers who had earlier escaped during the attack were subsequently located and accounted for at the Operation Delta Safe Sector 4 command post, bringing the total number of rescued and accounted-for victims to 22.
The rescued passengers 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 said no ransom was paid for the release of the victims.
The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to sustained maritime security operations and stronger collaboration with sister security agencies.
Okehie also emphasised the importance of timely intelligence in denying criminal elements freedom of action along Nigeria’s waterways.
The Navy said the successful operation further demonstrates its determination to protect lives, safeguard legitimate maritime activities and maintain a secure maritime environment.
It added that operations would be sustained in collaboration with other security agencies and stakeholders to combat sea robbery, kidnapping and other forms of maritime criminality across the nation’s waterways.
