The Nigerian Navy has successfully rescued 10 crew members from the vessel MV SEMA III, which was in distress while sailing from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, to Calabar.
The development was confirmed in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Ayiwuyor Adams-Aliu, on Monday in Abuja.
He said the operation demonstrated the Navy’s rapid response capability and commitment to safeguarding lives at sea.
According to the statement, the rescue was executed by personnel from Forward Operating Base (FOB) IBAKA on Friday.
“Acting on a distress call received around 2000 hours, a naval gunboat equipped with a submersible pump was immediately dispatched,” Adams-Aliu said.
Read Also
Upon arrival, the naval team found the vessel taking on water and promptly evacuated all occupants, which included one Cameroonian, one Equatorial Guinean, and eight Nigerians.
READ ALSO: Navy Dismantles Illegal Oil Refineries in Delta
The rescued crew members were received, debriefed, and provided care at FOB IBAKA until Saturday.
The Master of MV SEMA III reportedly expressed deep gratitude to the Nigerian Navy for the swift response and professionalism shown during the operation.
Adams-Aliu emphasised that the successful rescue underscores the Nigerian Navy’s ongoing efforts to enhance maritime safety, protect critical national assets, and promote lawful economic activities within the country’s maritime domain.
In a related development, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, recently approved the appointment and redeployment of 65 Rear Admirals across various commands, institutions, and departments within the Nigerian Navy and the Armed Forces.
