Navy destroys suspected militant camp, rescues three from sea robbers in South-South

The Nigerian Navy has intensified operations against maritime crime in the South-South, destroying a suspected militant hideout in Cross River State and rescuing three passengers from suspected sea robbers in Akwa Ibom State.

The operations were carried out separately by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory and the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka under the Eastern Naval Command as part of efforts to strengthen security along Nigeria’s coastal waterways.

Suspected militant hideout destroyed

In Cross River State, troops of NNS Victory raided a suspected militant camp at Ine Ikoridung in Bakassi Local Government Area, along the Dayspring axis.

According to the Navy, the operation followed credible intelligence that militants displaced from their previous camps on Dayspring Island had relocated to the coastal settlement in an attempt to reorganise.

Speaking in Calabar, the Base Information Officer of NNS Victory, Lieutenant Commander Sulaiman Bala, said naval patrol boats quickly moved into the area, surrounded the settlement and searched structures believed to be used by the suspects.

He said the suspected militants fled before troops arrived.

During the operation, personnel recovered five empty cartridges, a military camouflage vest, a police camouflage vest, a military pullover, a military jungle hat and a notebook reportedly containing records of suspected militant members previously arrested and the correctional facilities where they are serving prison terms.

The Navy said the identified hideouts were destroyed to prevent their future use by criminal groups and noted that sustained military operations have continued to limit the activities of militants operating within the maritime environment.

Three passengers rescued

In a separate operation, personnel of FOB Ibaka rescued three passengers after suspected sea robbers attacked their boat in Mbendoro waters off the Akwa Ibom coastline.

According to the Eastern Naval Command, the rescue operation was launched after a distress call was received from another passing boat reporting the attack.

The Navy said the patrol team responded immediately and rescued a boat transporting tomatoes and its three occupants—David Okon, Anietie Friday and David Edet—who were travelling from Cameroon to Oron in Akwa Ibom State when they were attacked.

The victims were safely escorted to FOB Ibaka without any casualties.

The Eastern Naval Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustained maritime patrols, rapid emergency response and continued efforts to combat piracy, sea robbery and other criminal activities within Nigeria’s territorial waters.