The Nigerian Navy has rescued 11 passengers from a sinking speedboat along the Bonny River and dismantled several illegal refining sites across Delta and Rivers States in its renewed efforts to secure the nation’s maritime environment.
In a statement signed by Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, Director of Information, the Navy said personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny carried out the rescue operation on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, after receiving a distress call.
The speedboat, which left Nembe Waterside Jetty in Port Harcourt for Coal Beach Jetty, Bonny Island, reportedly developed an engine failure and began taking in water near the Federal Ocean Terminal, Onne, Rivers State.
According to the statement, the Navy patrol team responded swiftly despite heavy rainfall and successfully evacuated six male and five female passengers to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Jetty for medical checks before handing them over to the Marine Police for reunification with their families.
In a separate operation the following day, Wednesday, November 5, 2025, the Nigerian Navy intensified its anti-crude oil theft campaign with the deactivation of illegal refining sites in four locations across the Niger Delta.
Personnel of the FOB Escravos deactivated two illegal refining sites at Obodo Omadino Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State. Similarly, the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER patrol team uncovered and deactivated a large illegal refining site around Bakana and Isaka in Rivers State, containing three cooking ovens, six reservoirs, and dugout pits filled with stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Likewise, FOB Bonny personnel dismantled an active illegal refining site at Eyamba Community, Bonny Local Government Area, while the NNS DELTA patrol team destroyed another at Opumani Creek, Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State.
Commodore Adams-Aliu said the operations reflected the Navy’s resolve under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), to sustain the fight against oil theft, ensure maritime safety, and protect critical national assets.
He reaffirmed that the Navy remained steadfast in eliminating all forms of illegality within Nigeria’s maritime domain and promoting lawful economic activities that contribute to national development.
