By Odita Sunday
In yet another display of bravery and vigilance, the Nigerian Navy has reinforced its dual mandate of saving lives and securing the nation’s waterways with a daring rescue operation and a sweeping clampdown on crude oil theft across the Niger Delta.
On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, personnel of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny rescued 11 passengers from a sinking speedboat along the Bonny River. The ill-fated boat, which departed Nembe Waterside Jetty in Port Harcourt en route to Coal Beach Jetty in Bonny Island, developed engine failure midstream and began taking in water near the Federal Ocean Terminal, Onne, Rivers State.
Responding swiftly under heavy rainfall, the Navy patrol team from FOB Bonny averted what could have been a tragic incident. All passengers six males and five females were successfully evacuated, taken to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Jetty for medical evaluation, and later handed over to the Marine Police for onward reunification with their families.
Barely a day later, on Wednesday, November 5, the Navy intensified its anti-crude oil theft campaign with coordinated operations that led to the deactivation of several illegal refining sites in Delta and Rivers States.
Personnel of FOB Escravos dismantled two illegal refining sites at Obodo Omadino Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, while operatives of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER uncovered and destroyed another site around the Bakana and Isaka general areas of Rivers State, containing three cooking ovens, six reservoirs, jerrycans, and dugout pits filled with stolen crude and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
Similarly, troops of FOB Bonny deactivated a functional refining camp at Eyamba Community in Bonny Local Government Area, while NNS DELTA patrol teams destroyed another site at Opumani Creek in Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State.
According to the Director of Information, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, these operations reflect the Nigerian Navy’s renewed operational drive under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), to secure the nation’s maritime environment, protect vital assets, and promote lawful economic activities.
“The Navy remains resolute in its mission to ensure safety at sea, suppress crude oil theft, and sustain the fight against all forms of maritime illegality,” Commodore Adams-Aliu affirmed.
The Nigerian Navy continues to demonstrate that beyond its combat role, it remains a strong humanitarian force committed to saving lives and protecting Nigeria’s blue economy.