Nigerian Navy Foils Kidnap Attempt, Rescues 15 Passengers in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy has successfully rescued 15 passengers from suspected kidnappers in Rivers State, preventing what could have been a major abduction along the Bonny-Port Harcourt sea route.
The rescue operation was carried out by personnel of the Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Bonny after receiving a distress call about a hijacked market boat on Friday, March 28, 2025. The boat, traveling from Bonny Island to Port Harcourt, was seized by four armed men who diverted it into a creek near Opuadakiri Community.
Read Also:
Acting swiftly, the Navy’s anti-kidnapping team pursued the assailants into the creek. Sensing the naval patrol’s presence, the criminals abandoned their hostages and fled. All 15 passengers were safely recovered and later escorted to their destination.
Lieutenant Commander Sirajo Almustapha, the Base Operations Officer of FOB Bonny, confirmed the operation’s success and emphasized the Navy’s commitment to protecting maritime travelers. He noted that the Navy’s routine patrols and security checks played a crucial role in deterring such criminal activities.
“The patrol team’s prompt response ensured that all victims were rescued unharmed. The Navy remains committed to safeguarding commercial waterways and protecting citizens from criminal elements,” Almustapha stated.
The rescue underscores the Nigerian Navy’s ongoing efforts to combat maritime crimes, including kidnapping, crude oil theft, and illegal bunkering, as part of its operational mandate under the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla.
By PRNigeria
