Navy Rescues 7 Kidnapped Boat Passengers After 10 Days In Captivity

Navy Rescues 7 Kidnapped Boat Passengers After 10 Days In Captivity

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, has rescued seven passengers, who were kidnapped on May 10, 2022, along the Bonny-Port Harcourt sea route in Rivers State

The victims, all males, were among travellers coming to Port Harcourt, the state capital, from Bonny when they were intercepted by suspected sea pirates around the Yellow Channel axis of the route.

Briefing journalists in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Suleiman Ibrahim, said the pirates allegedly led by one Victor Padi, relocated the victims three times before they were finally rescued from a location in Bayelsa State.

Ibrahim, who stated that the kidnap victims were released by their abductors due to pressure and ultimatum handed down to the them, said no ransom was paid before their release.

He said: “Gentlemen, you will recall that on May 10, 2022, we had an ugly incident of kidnapping where some passengers who were on a commercial boat were intercepted by pirates.

“Seven of these passengers were kidnapped and taken to an unknown destination. As soon as the information got to us, we mobilised and started tracking to identify who actually committed this crime.

“After series of investigations, it was discovered that Mr. Victor Padi was the mastermind behind this illegal crime. From there, we immediately mobilised and stormed his camp.

“Unfortunately, by the time we got to the camp, he has relocated with his victims. After several collaboration with other partners, it was then discovered that he has relocated to a location in Bayelsa State.

“We immediately mobilised from Rivers State with personnel, some of whom are here with me and collaborated with our base in Bayelsa State and stormed the identified camp where he had relocated the victims to.

“However, we discovered that he has equally moved from there, which was an indication that Mr. Victor knows the terrain very well and deploys his local informants who give information on troops’ movement.

“When we got to the second location, we made sure we applied pressure and an ultimatum was given to his collaborators there; his support system. As God will have it, on May 21, 2022 by midnight, the victims were returned unharmed.

“However, this is not to say that this is the end of the matter because we will make sure we continue to pursue Mr. Victor Padi and his members until we bring them to face the law.”