The Nigerian Navy has rescued 17 passengers who were abducted by sea pirates along the Calabar–Oron waterway in Cross River State.
The passengers were kidnapped on September 25 while travelling from Calabar to Oron.
In a statement on Thursday, Lieutenant Commander S. S. Bala, speaking on behalf of the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, announced the successful rescue of the victims.
Bala said the passengers were freed on Monday after a coordinated operation involving multiple naval formations, noting that aerial surveillance provided by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) was instrumental in tracking the movement of the pirates.
He added that credible intelligence from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) also 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.”
Bala added that 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.