The Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Bonny, Rivers State, rescued 15 kidnapped victims from suspected kidnappers over the weekend.

The incident occurred when the market boat, carrying the victims, was hijacked by four armed men while en route to Port Harcourt from Bonny Island.

According to Lieutenant Commander Sirajo Almustapha, the Base Operations Officer of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (NNFOB), the anti-kidnapping team received a distress call at approximately 2:20 pm and swiftly moved into action.

The team pursued the kidnappers into a creek around Opuadakiri Creek, along the Bonny-Port Harcourt sea route, where the kidnappers abandoned the boat and escaped.

He noted that the swift response of naval personnel ensured the safe rescue of all 15 passengers, who were later debriefed by the Base Operations Officer.

The boat driver revealed that the suspected kidnappers, numbering four, attacked and took control of their boat.

Almustapha said: “On Friday 28 March 2025, FOB BONNY Anti-Kidnapping Team embarked on routine patrol around Bonny Anchorage, Open Water and Yellow Platform up to the limit of the Base’s Area of Operation.

“During the patrol, security checks were carried out on passenger boats plying through the area. At about 02:20 pm, the Team received a report that 15 passengers in a Market Boat were forced into a creek by unknown armed men suspected to be kidnappers around Opuadakiri Community.

“On receipt of the report, FOB BONNY patrol team swiftly moved into the creek in pursuit. However, on sighting the naval gunboats, the criminals abandoned the boat and escaped.

“FOB BONNY patrol team rescued the victims unhurt. A debrief of the victims revealed that the incident occurred when the Market Boat was en route Port Harcourt from Bonny Island.

“Also, the boat driver revealed that the suspected kidnappers were 4 in number while one man was armed with a rifle. On completion of the debrief, the 15 passengers and the Market Boat were escorted to their destination safely.

“Forward Operating Base (FOB) BONNY has continued to carry out various operational activities and tasks towards actualizing the operational objectives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla (AM).

“Some of these operational activities include routine patrols, anti-Crude Oil Theft (COT), anti-illegal bunkering and anti-kidnapping operations.

“The patrols involve the protection of critical national infrastructure and securing the commercial routes within the Base’s Area of Operation (AOO).