The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Bonny in Rivers State has rescued 15 passengers from suspected kidnappers aboard a commercial cargo boat along the Bonny River
The Base Operations Officer, Lt. Commander Sirajo Almustapha in a statement on Saturday, said the incident occurred at about 02:20 pm on Friday, March 28, 2025.
According to the statement, the navy’s anti-kidnapping team rescued the boat and its crew after suspected armed kidnappers took it to a creek around Opuadakiri Creek, along the Bonny-Port Harcourt sea route.
The statement said: “On Friday 28 March, 2025, FOB BONNY anti-kidnapping team embarked on routine patrol around Bonny Anchorage, Open Water and Yellow Platform up to the limit of the base’s area of operation.
“During the patrol, security checks were carried out on passenger boats plying through the area.
“At about 02:20 pm, the team received a report that 15 passengers in a market boat were forced into a creek by unknown armed men suspected to be kidnappers around Opuadakiri community.
“On receipt of the report, FOB BONNY patrol team swiftly moved into the creek in pursuit. However, on sighting the naval gunboats, the criminals abandoned the boat and escaped.
“FOB BONNY patrol team rescued the victims unhurt.”
The base operation officer further informed that after rescuing the victims a debriefing session conducted yielded useful information regarding the suspects.
“A debrief of the victims, revealed that the incident occurred when the market boat was enroute Port Harcourt from Bonny Island.
Read also: Nigerian Navy shuts down 3 illegal Refineries in Delta, seizes stolen Crude
Rivers State strengthens fight against oil theft, donated 6 gunboats to Nigerian Navy
Nigerian Navy launches ‘CROCODILE LIFT’ to boost amphibious operations skills
“Also, the boat driver revealed that the suspected kidnappers were four in number, while one man was armed with a rifle.
“On completion of the debrief, the 15 passengers and the market boat were escorted to their destination safely,” the navy said.
He assured that patrols around the general impacted area would be sustained.
“Consequent upon this, the base has activated measures to establish the pattern of life of the miscreants in order to dislocate them and deny them freedom of action in carrying out further Kidnap for Ransom activities.
“Forward Operating Base BONNY has continued to carry out various operational activities and tasks towards actualizing the operational objectives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla,” the statement stated