Nigerian Navy Rescues Kidnap Victim in Bonny, Intensifies Crackdown on Waterway Crimes
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
The Nigerian Navy has rescued a kidnapped victim, Mr. Benedict Eze, in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, following sustained intelligence-driven operations that forced his captors to abandon him under mounting security pressure.
The development was disclosed in a press statement issued on April 2, 2026, by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain AA Folorunsho.
According to the statement, the victim was abducted on March 23, 2026, at Aganya Community but was later found at Coconut Jetty after his kidnappers fled due to “intensified operational pressure” from naval personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny.
“The victim… was rescued by naval personnel at Coconut Jetty after he was abandoned by his captors around the Opuoma waterside due to intensified operational pressure since the incident was first reported,” the Navy said.
It explained that the rescue followed a combination of “sustained intelligence-led patrols, technological enablers, as well as coordinated action on land and around the creeks to block any possible escape routes.”
The Navy added that the victim was immediately evacuated to a naval medical facility for evaluation and debriefing before being safely reunited with his family.
Describing the operation as a success, the statement noted that the recovery “highlights the effectiveness of coordinated maritime and land-based security operations conducted by the Nigerian Navy in collaboration with other security agencies.”
It further stressed that the operation is in line with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to ramp up efforts against criminal activities within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Reaffirming its commitment, the Navy stated: “The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining proactive patrols and intelligence-driven operations to enhance security, protect lives and property, and bring perpetrators of criminal acts to justice.”
