A swift maritime security operation carried out by the Nigerian Navy has successfully prevented a suspected sea robbery incident and secured the release of 16 passengers who were taken hostage along the Ibaka–Calabar Channel.
The intervention, which took place on Sunday, March 8, 2026, followed credible intelligence that alerted naval authorities to suspicious criminal activity within the strategic waterway.
Acting on the information, naval operatives quickly mobilized to intercept the suspected attackers before the situation escalated.
In a statement released on Monday, the Director of Naval Information, A.A. Folorunsho, confirmed that the operation was initiated after security agencies received intelligence reports indicating unusual maritime movements around Buoy 12 along the Ibaka–Calabar maritime corridor.
According to him, the Nigerian Navy immediately deployed gunboats from the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Ibaka to the area.
The objective of the mission was to intercept the criminals, prevent them from carrying out their plan, and restore safety within the channel.
During the patrol, naval officers encountered a group of suspected sea robbers who had already intercepted a fibre passenger boat traveling from Ibaka in Akwa Ibom State toward Bakassi in Bakassi Peninsula.
The attackers reportedly seized control of the vessel and held all passengers hostage. Investigations suggest the criminals intended to take the victims into nearby creeks where kidnappings and ransom demands are often carried out.
Folorunsho explained that the patrol team acted immediately upon sighting the hijacked vessel.
The Nigerian Navy gunboats moved closer to confront the criminals and secure the safety of the civilians onboard.
Faced with the approaching naval forces, the suspected robbers abandoned their operation and fled into shallow creeks surrounding the channel.
Their escape allowed the naval team to regain control of the passenger boat without harm coming to the victims.
Following the confrontation, the Nigerian Navy successfully rescued all 16 passengers who had been held captive.
Officials confirmed that the rescued individuals were unharmed and did not suffer any physical injuries during the incident.
The naval personnel subsequently conducted safety checks and ensured the victims received necessary assistance before continuing their journey.
In accordance with maritime safety procedures, naval officers escorted the passengers toward the Nigeria–Cameroon maritime boundary to guarantee a safe continuation of their trip.
Security experts say the Ibaka–Calabar Channel remains a critical maritime route used by travelers and traders moving between communities in southern Nigeria and neighboring countries.
The presence of criminal groups in nearby creeks has occasionally posed threats to civilian vessels.
However, the Nigerian Navy has intensified patrols and surveillance operations in recent years to curb maritime crime and maintain stability within the region.
Folorunsho noted that the successful rescue operation demonstrates the Navy’s readiness and its commitment to maintaining a secure maritime environment.
He added that continuous intelligence gathering and rapid deployment capabilities remain key to preventing criminal activity along Nigeria’s waterways.
He further explained that the mission supports the broader vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Idi Abbas, who has emphasized the need to build a modern and responsive naval force capable of protecting national maritime interests.
According to the Navy, maintaining security across Nigeria’s coastal waters is essential not only for protecting lives but also for safeguarding commercial shipping routes and economic activities that depend heavily on maritime transportation.
Authorities have therefore reassured maritime operators, fishermen, traders, and passengers that the Nigerian Navy will continue to strengthen surveillance, patrols, and intelligence-driven operations across the country’s maritime domain.
They also urged members of coastal communities and maritime stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely information that could help prevent criminal activities at sea.
With the latest successful intervention, naval authorities say they remain determined to combat sea robbery, piracy, and other threats while ensuring Nigeria’s waterways remain safe for legitimate travel and trade.
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