Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Navy has rescued a commercial cargo boat from suspected kidnappers along the Bonny River, as part of efforts at protecting critical national infrastructure and securing Nigeria’s maritime domain.
The Base Operations Officer, Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Bonny, Lieutenant Commander Sirajo Almustapha said the incident occurred at about 02:20 pm on Friday, March 28, 2025.
Almustapha noted that the NNFOB Bonny’s anti-kidnapping team rescued the boat and its crew after suspected armed kidnappers commandeered it into a creek around Opuadakiri Creek along the Bonny-Port Harcourt sea route.
He 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 FOB Bonny Base Operation Officer further noted that upon rescuing the victims, a debriefing session conducted has 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. 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.”
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.
“Some of these operational activities include routine patrols, anti-crude oil theft, anti-illegal bunkering and anti-kidnapping operations.”
“The patrols involve the protection of critical national infrastructure and securing the commercial routes within the Base’s area of operation.
