Over the weekend, the Nigerian Navy's Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Bonny, Rivers State, successfully rescued 15 individuals who had been taken by suspected kidnappers.
The incident occurred when the boat they were traveling in, a regular vessel used for transport to the market, was intercepted by four armed individuals. The boat was on its way from Bonny Island to Port Harcourt.
Lieutenant Commander Sirajo Almustapha, the Base Operations Officer at the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (NNFOB), stated that their anti-kidnapping team received an urgent call for help around 2:20 pm. They immediately launched a response.
The naval team pursued the suspected kidnappers into a waterway near Opuadakiri Creek, along the usual sea route between Bonny and Port Harcourt. Upon seeing the approaching naval vessels, the individuals holding the boat abandoned it and fled.
Lieutenant Commander Almustapha confirmed that all 15 passengers were rescued unharmed. They were later interviewed by the Base Operations Officer to gather more information about the incident.
The boat driver reported that four individuals attacked and took control of their vessel, with at least one carrying a rifle.
Lieutenant Commander Almustapha further explained that on Friday, March 28, 2025, the FOB BONNY Anti-Kidnapping Team was conducting a routine patrol in the Bonny Anchorage area, open waters, and near the Yellow Platform, within their operational zone.
During the patrol, standard security checks were carried out on passenger boats in the area. At approximately 2:20 pm, the team received a report about 15 passengers on a market boat being forced into a creek by unidentified armed individuals suspected of being kidnappers near Opuadakiri Community.
Upon receiving this information, the FOB BONNY patrol team quickly moved into the creek in pursuit. However, when the suspected criminals saw the naval gunboats, they abandoned the boat and escaped.
The FOB BONNY patrol team successfully rescued all the individuals without injury. Interviews with the rescued individuals revealed that the incident happened while the market boat was traveling from Bonny Island towards Port Harcourt.
The boat driver also indicated that there were four suspected kidnappers, and one of them was armed with a rifle. After the interviews were completed, the 15 passengers and their boat were safely escorted to their destination.
The Forward Operating Base (FOB) BONNY continues to conduct various operations to achieve the goals set by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla (AM).
These operations include regular patrols aimed at preventing crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, and kidnapping. The patrols also focus on protecting important national infrastructure and ensuring the security of commercial shipping routes within the Base’s operational area.
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