Nigerian Navy foils sea robbery and rescues 16 passengers along Ibaka-Calabar Canal

Nigerian Navy foils sea robbery and rescues 16 passengers along Ibaka-Calabar Canal

The Nigerian Navy foiled a suspected sea robbery and rescued 16 passengers along the Ibaka-Calabar Canal during a swift operation on Sunday, March 8, 2026.

Acting on intelligence on suspicious activities around buoy 12 along the Ibaka-Calabar strategic maritime corridor. Acting quickly on intelligence, gunboats from the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) IBAKA were immediately flown to the area to intercept suspected criminals and deny them freedom of action and restore order within the canal. The attackers held civilians hostage in the streams for ransom.

Upon arrival at the target area, the naval patrol team encountered suspected robbers who had intercepted and taken control of a fiber passenger vessel carrying civilians from Ibaka in Akwa Ibom State to Bakassi in Cameroon. They held civilians hostage with the aim of kidnapping them in the streams. In a decisive display of operational readiness and naval strength, the naval team engaged the robbers, rescued all passengers and forced the criminals to flee into shallow coves. All 16 hostages were confirmed safe and unharmed. Navy personnel later escorted them to the Nigerian-Cameroon maritime border to ensure their safe passage.

The operation highlights the Navy’s proactive presence in safeguarding Nigeria’s waters, in line with the vision of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to build a modern and agile force that protects maritime interests.

The Navy reassured stakeholders of its commitment to fighting crime, protecting lives and property at sea and maintaining a safe environment for legitimate trade.