By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Navy has successfully disrupted a suspected sea robbery attempt and rescued 16 passengers along the Ibaka–Calabar Channel following a swift response by naval personnel deployed in the area.
The rescue operation was carried out on Sunday, 8 March 2026, by gunboats from the Forward Operating Base Ibaka after credible intelligence indicated suspicious maritime criminal activity around Buoy 12 along the strategic waterway.
Acting promptly on the intelligence, the naval base deployed gunboats on routine patrol to the location in a bid to deny criminal elements freedom of operation and secure the busy maritime corridor.
Upon arrival at the scene, the naval team encountered suspected sea robbers attempting to intercept a fibre boat conveying passengers along the channel. The gunboats immediately fired warning shots, forcing the criminals to abandon their operation and flee into the shallow creeks bordering the waterway where naval platforms could not pursue further.
The timely intervention led to the successful rescue of all 16 passengers who had been held hostage by the suspected attackers. The victims were travelling from Ibaka in Akwa Ibom State to Bakassi in Cameroon when the incident occurred.
Naval authorities confirmed that all passengers were rescued in good health, while the fibre boat conveying them was also recovered without damage.
In accordance with established maritime safety procedures, Nigerian Navy personnel subsequently escorted the passengers to the Nigeria–Cameroon maritime border to ensure their safety before allowing them to continue their journey.
The operation underscores the Nigerian Navy’s continued vigilance and proactive posture in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime environment, protecting lives, and preventing criminal activities along critical waterways.
Maritime security analysts say the Ibaka–Calabar Channel remains a vital route for regional movement and trade, making sustained naval patrols essential to maintaining safe navigation and deterring criminal activities within Nigeria’s territorial waters.
