Navy Says Two Kidnapped Victims Rescued in Akwa Ibom Maritime Operation
The Nigerian Navy says its personnel rescued two kidnapped victims during an operation against suspected sea robbers and kidnappers in the Ibeno area of Akwa Ibom State.
The operation was carried out on September 30 by the Maritime Quick Response Team of Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE following what the Navy described as credible intelligence about suspected criminals targeting fishermen, fishing boats and outboard engines.
Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, said the naval team encountered two boats believed to have been operated by the suspects.
According to the Navy, the occupants fled into adjoining creeks after sighting naval personnel.
Victims found in abandoned boat
The Navy said personnel pursued the suspects and found one abandoned boat containing two kidnapped victims and several outboard engines.
The victims were rescued and taken to safety.
Several outboard engines, which the Navy described as stolen, were also recovered and secured for verification and further action.
That verification step remains important, and IDNN is not treating ownership of the engines as conclusively resolved.
No arrests reported
The Navy said the suspected attackers fled into adjoining creeks and that efforts were continuing to locate and apprehend them.
No arrests were reported in connection with the operation.
Folorunsho said the operation formed part of continuing naval efforts to protect lives and legitimate maritime activity across Nigeria’s waterways.
The Navy also urged fishermen, coastal communities and other maritime users to provide timely information about suspected criminal activity or people in distress.
What remains unclear
The Navy’s public account does not identify the rescued victims or establish when and where they were originally abducted.
It also does not independently establish ownership of the recovered engines or identify the people who fled.
Those gaps matter because the operational account comes principally from the Nigerian Navy.
The strongest safe position is therefore limited:
The Navy says two kidnapped victims were rescued in Ibeno, several outboard engines were recovered for verification and suspected attackers fled without any reported arrests.
The next accountability questions are whether the fleeing suspects are identified or arrested, what verification establishes about the recovered engines, and whether authorities provide further details about the victims’ abduction.