The Nigerian Navy has rescued two kidnapped victims and recovered several stolen outboard engines during an operation against suspected sea robbers and kidnappers in the Ibeno area of Akwa Ibom State.
The operation was conducted on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, by the Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE Maritime Quick Response Team, Ibeno, following credible information about criminal activities targeting fishermen in the area.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement shared on Thursday.
According to the statement, the suspected criminals had been targeting fishermen, forcibly taking away fishing boats and outboard engines.
Following the intelligence, the Maritime Quick Response Team swiftly mobilised to the area to counter the threat, leading to the rescue of the two victims and recovery of several stolen outboard engines.
The Navy said the operation underscored its continued efforts to protect lives and secure legitimate maritime activities across the nation’s waterways.
It also called on coastal communities, fishermen and other maritime stakeholders to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to assist in preventing criminal activities and responding quickly to persons in distress.
The Navy said it would continue to conduct proactive patrols, search and rescue operations and intelligence-driven interventions aimed at protecting lives and property while restricting the activities of criminal elements on Nigeria’s waterways.
