The Nigerian Navy says its personnel have rescued 17 passengers who were abducted by sea pirates along the Calabar–Oron waterway in Cross River state.
The passengers were abducted on September 25 while travelling from Calabar to Oron.
In a statement on Thursday, S.S. Bala, a lieutenant commander, announced the rescue of the abducted passengers on behalf of the commander of Nigeria Navy Ship Victory.
Bala said the passengers were rescued on Monday after coordinated efforts by multiple naval formations, adding that the aerial surveillance of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helped to track the movement of the pirates.
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He noted that credible intelligence from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) aided the operation.
“Following the incident, gallant personnel of NNS Victory, with support from Forward Operating Base Ibaka, embarked on a series of operations, including the blockade of creeks leading to the kidnappers’ camp,” the statement reads.
“These efforts effectively cut off the kidnappers’ logistics supply, compelling them to accept negotiations with the office of the National Security Adviser for the safe release of the victims to the Nigerian Navy.”
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Bala said the rescued passengers were taken to the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital in Calabar for medical evaluation before being handed over to the management of Sea Express Transit Limited.
