November 6, 2025
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, FOB, Bonny, at about 1:00 p.m on Tuesday, rescued 11 passengers from a sinking outboard engine-powered speedboat along the Bonny River near the Federal Ocean Terminal in Onne, Rivers State
The Base Operations Officer, Lieutenant Commander Sirajo Almustapha, said the passenger boat developed an engine malfunction, which caused water to enter the vessel and was compounded by the large number of passengers on board.
Almustapha stated that during a routine escort duties around the Onne general area, FOB Bonny personnel observed a distressed passenger boat taking in water. “The boat had 21 passengers on board at the time of the incident,”
“The passenger boat was reported to have departed Nembe Waterside Jetty, Port Harcourt, at 12:50 p.m., heading to Coal Beach Jetty in Bonny Island. The boat developed an engine malfunction, leading to water ingress, and the large number of passengers further exacerbated the situation.
“Accordingly, FOB Bonny armed personnel rescued 11 passengers, comprising six males and five females, to lighten the boat while the engine was being repaired.”
Almustapha explained that the rescued passengers were debriefed at FOB Bonny before being handed over to a representative of the Marine Police, Assistant Superintendent of Police Friday Nyeche, at about 4:40 p.m., to be reunited with their families.
He added that the boat’s engine was repaired at about 3:58 p.m., after which the driver and the remaining 10 passengers proceeded to Coal Beach Jetty in Bonny Island.
The Base Operations Officer, emphasized that the “FOB Bonny would sustain efforts towards ensuring the safety and security of the waterways within its area of operations for legal economic and commercial activities to thrive.”
He stated that the rescue operation formed part of the operational objectives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.
“Some of these operational activities include routine patrols, anti-crude oil theft, anti-illegal bunkering, anti-kidnapping, as well as search and rescue operations. The patrols involve the protection of critical national infrastructure and securing commercial routes within the base’s area of operation.”
