The Nigerian Navy has rescued 15 passengers aboard a cargo boat from suspected kidnappers along the Bonny River in Port Harcourt.
The Base Operations Officer of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Sirajo Almustapha,confirmed the rescue in a statement on Saturday, revealing that the incident occurred on Friday afternoon.
According to him, the NNFOB Bonny’s anti-kidnapping team acted swiftly after receiving reports that armed men had hijacked the boat and diverted it into Opuadakiri Creek along the Bonny-Port Harcourt Sea route.
“During the patrol, security checks were carried out on passenger boats plying through the area,” the statement read.
“At about 2:20 p.m., 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 the 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. The FOB BONNY patrol team rescued the victims unhurt.”
The boat was en route from Bonny Island to Port Harcourt when it was attacked. The crew reported that the kidnappers numbered four, with one of them armed with a rifle.
Almustapha assured that the Navy has intensified efforts to track down the suspects and ensure the safety of travellers along the waterways.
