Operatives of the Nigerian Navy have successfully rescued 15 passengers from suspected kidnappers along the Bonny River in Rivers State.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the Base Operations Officer of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (NNFOB), Bonny, Lieutenant Commander Sirajo Al-Mustapha, confirmed that the incident occurred over the weekend.
According to Al-Mustapha, the NNFOB Bonny’s Anti-Kidnapping Team intervened after suspected armed kidnappers hijacked a local commercial boat and diverted it into Opuadakiri Creek along the Bonny-Port Harcourt sea route.
“On Friday, March 28, 2025, the FOB BONNY Anti-Kidnapping Team embarked on routine patrol around Bonny Anchorage, Open Water, and Yellow Platform, covering the operational area of the Base.
“During the patrol, security checks were conducted on passenger boats transiting the region. At approximately 2:20 p.m., a report was received that 15 passengers aboard a market boat had been forced into a creek by unidentified armed men, suspected to be kidnappers, near Opuadakiri Community. Upon receiving the report, the FOB BONNY patrol team swiftly pursued the kidnappers. However, upon sighting the naval gunboats, the criminals abandoned the boat and fled. The patrol team successfully rescued the victims unharmed,” the statement read.
Following the rescue, a debriefing session with the victims provided useful information regarding the suspects.
“The debrief revealed that the market boat was en route to Port Harcourt from Bonny Island when the attack occurred. The boat driver reported that four kidnappers were involved, with one armed with a rifle. After the debriefing, the 15 passengers and the market boat were safely escorted to their destination,” Al-Mustapha stated.
He assured that security patrols in the area would be intensified.
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