Metro
Navy frees two kidnap victims, recover stolen engines in Akwa Ibom
The Nigerian Navy has rescued two kidnapped victims and recovered several stolen outboard engines during an operation targeting sea robbery and kidnapping in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The operation was carried out on September 30, 2026, following intelligence on suspected sea robbers and kidnappers allegedly targeting fishermen and stealing their boats and outboard engines.
The Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement.
According to him, the Nigerian Navy Ship Jubilee Maritime Quick Response Team in Ibeno immediately mobilised to the area after receiving the intelligence.
Folorunsho said the naval personnel encountered two boats suspected to have been used by the criminals. However, their occupants reportedly abandoned the boats and escaped into nearby creeks as the security operatives pursued them.
According to him, the suspects subsequently abandoned one of the boats, which contained several stolen outboard engines and the two kidnapped victims.
“The victims were immediately rescued by the naval team and escorted to safety,” he said.
Folorunsho said the recovered outboard engines had been secured for verification and further necessary action, while efforts were ongoing to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
He added that the operation underscored the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to protecting lives, securing legitimate maritime activities and sustaining proactive patrols, search-and-rescue operations and intelligence-driven interventions across Nigeria’s waterways.

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