Navy Rescues Two Kidnap Victims, Recovers Stolen Engines in Akwa Ibom
The Nigerian Navy has rescued two kidnapped victims and recovered several stolen outboard engines during an operation against sea robbers and kidnappers in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State.
The operation, conducted on September 30, followed intelligence reports that suspected criminals were targeting fishermen, seizing their boats and stealing outboard engines.
The Navy said the Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE Maritime Quick Response Team, Ibeno, swiftly mobilised to the area after receiving credible information about the criminal activities.
During the operation, the naval team encountered two boats suspected to be operated by the criminals. The occupants reportedly fled into adjoining creeks when they sighted the naval personnel, triggering a pursuit.
The suspects abandoned one of the boats, which contained several stolen outboard engines and the two kidnapped victims. The naval team rescued the victims and escorted them to safety, while the recovered engines were secured for verification and further action.
Read Also:
The Navy said efforts were ongoing to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the operation demonstrated the Navy’s commitment to protecting lives and securing legitimate maritime activities across the country’s waterways.
He said the service would sustain proactive patrols, search-and-rescue operations and intelligence-driven interventions to prevent criminal activities and respond promptly to distress situations.
Folorunsho also stressed the importance of credible intelligence and community support in tackling maritime crimes, urging coastal communities, fishermen and other maritime stakeholders to provide timely information to security agencies.
He said the Navy would continue to deploy its ships, bases, surveillance systems and maritime quick response teams to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime domain and deny criminal elements freedom of action.
The operation comes amid ongoing efforts by the Navy to protect coastal communities and legitimate maritime activities from sea robbery, kidnapping and the theft of fishing equipment.
By PRNigeria
