Navy rescues 11 passengers as speedboat sinks on Bonny River

The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Bonny, has rescued 11 passengers from a sinking speedboat along the Bonny River in Rivers State.

The incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, near the Federal Ocean Terminal, Onne, during a routine naval patrol.

According to Lieutenant Commander Sirajo Almustapha, Base Operations Officer at FOB Bonny, the passenger boat developed an engine fault shortly after departing Nembe Waterside Jetty, Port Harcourt, en route to Coal Beach Jetty, Bonny Island. The malfunction caused water to flood the vessel, worsened by the large number of passengers on board.

“FOB Bonny personnel on escort duty sighted the distressed boat and swiftly intervened,” Almustapha said. “Eleven passengers—six males and five females—were rescued to lighten the vessel while engineers worked to fix the engine.”

The rescued passengers were later handed over to ASP Friday Nyeche of the Marine Police at about 3:40 p.m., while the boat’s engines were repaired by 3:58 p.m., allowing the driver and the remaining 10 passengers to continue safely to Bonny Island.

Almustapha assured that the Navy remains committed to ensuring the safety of waterways and protecting critical maritime routes, noting that the rescue aligns with the directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, on maritime security and rescue operations.

Meanwhile, the CNS has approved the redeployment of 65 Rear Admirals to key commands and institutions as part of efforts to boost operational efficiency and strengthen maritime security.

According to a statement by Commodore Ayiwuyor Adams-Aliu, Director of Naval Information, the large-scale postings are aimed at enhancing synergy across commands and improving performance.

Among those affected by the reshuffle are Rear Admiral Suleiman Abdullahi, now Chief of Logistics at Naval Headquarters; Rear Admiral Kasim Bushi, appointed Executive Director of the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria; Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun, who becomes Director of Defence Cooperation at the Defence Headquarters; and Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, now Commandant of the National Defence College. Others include Rear Admiral Musa Katagum as Chief of Operations, Rear Admiral Fredrick Damtong as Chief of Naval Engineering, and Rear Admiral Abdul-Rasheed Haruna as Chief of Training, all at Naval Headquarters.

Adams-Aliu said the new postings reflect the Navy’s renewed commitment to repositioning the service for improved performance and enhanced maritime security across Nigeria’s waters.