The Nigerian Navy has successfully rescued 17 passengers who were kidnapped by suspected sea pirates along the Calabar–Oron waterway in Cross River State. The victims were abducted on September 25 while en route from Calabar to Oron before being freed through a coordinated naval operation.

In a statement issued on Thursday on behalf of the Commander, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, Lieutenant Commander S.S. Bala confirmed the successful rescue, noting that the operation was the result of joint efforts involving several naval formations and security agencies. He disclosed that the operation benefited immensely from aerial surveillance conducted by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), which played a vital role in tracking the movements of the pirates.

According to Bala, credible intelligence provided by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) significantly enhanced the efficiency of the operation. He explained that after the abduction, personnel of NNS Victory, supported by the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, launched a series of strategic missions, including the blockade of creeks believed to be escape routes leading to the kidnappers’ hideout.

“These measures disrupted the kidnappers’ supply network and weakened their operations, eventually forcing them to negotiate with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for the safe release of the victims to the Nigerian Navy,” Bala stated.

He added that the rescued passengers were immediately taken to the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital in Calabar for thorough medical checks and were later handed over to the management of Sea Express Transit Limited, the operators of the vessel. Bala reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to ensuring safety along Nigeria’s waterways, stressing that such acts of maritime criminality will continue to be met with swift and decisive action.