The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny has rescued 11 passengers from a speedboat that began sinking along the Bonny River.
The rescue operation was carried out by armed naval personnel on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, around 1 p.m., near the Federal Ocean Terminal in Onne, Rivers State.
Lieutenant Commander Sirajo Almustapha, the Base Operations Officer, explained that the boat suffered an engine failure, which led to water entering the vessel—an issue compounded by overloading.
He added that FOB Bonny officers, who were on routine escort duty in the Onne area, spotted the distressed vessel taking in water. “The boat was carrying 21 passengers at the time of the incident,” Almustapha stated.
“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.
Almustapha reaffirmed that “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 base’s various activities aimed at actualising the operational objectives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal).
“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,” he added.
