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From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The Nigerian Navy has rescued 22 passengers abducted by kidnappers along the Calabar–Oron–Ibaka channel.
Five armed men in a speedboat, On Monday, August 11, 2026, ambushed the wooden passenger boat, shortly after passing Enwang community along the volatile Calabar–Oron–Ibaka channel.
According to the Nigerian Navy, the gunmen hijacked the boat and took control of the terrified passengers. Some managed to escape during the initial chaos. The rest were held captive as the pirates sped away.
Acting on intelligence, personnel of the Forward Operating Base, FOB Ibaka, in synergy with Operation Delta Safe Sector 4 and the Marine Police, launched sustained patrols and set up a strategic blockade across the creek networks.
The pressure paid off the following day. Sensing the heat of pursuing naval gunboats, the suspected kidnappers abandoned their captives and the stolen boat at Asak-Ikang Creek and fled towards Oron.
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Naval troops immediately swept the area, rescuing 11 victims who had been left behind. In a separate effort, the 11 other passengers who escaped earlier were located and debriefed at the OPDS Sector 4 command post.
All 22 victims were rescued without paying ransom and were taken to the FOB Ibaka Sickbay for medical evaluation and first aid. After being stabilised, they were escorted back to Calabar alongside the recovered passenger boat.
Announcing the operation, the Commanding Officer of FOB Ibaka, Navy Captain Adebowale Omotosho, said the success was a result of timely intelligence and inter-agency collaboration.
The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chiedozie Okehie, vowed that the Navy would sustain patrols to safeguard the nation’s maritime domain.
