Operatives of the Nigerian Navy have rescued 10 crew members, including one Cameroonian, one Equatorial Guinean, and eight Nigerians, from the distressed vessel MV SEMA III, which was en route to Calabar from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
The Naval Director of Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
Adams-Aliyu, a Commodore, said that the rescue occurred on Friday, November 7, following a distress call received at about 2000 hours.
According to him, a naval gunboat equipped with a submersible pump was immediately deployed to the scene.
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“On arrival, the team discovered the vessel was taking in water and promptly evacuated all occupants—one Cameroonian, one Equatorial Guinean, and eight Nigerians, who were later received, debriefed, and catered for at FOB IBAKA until Saturday, 8 November 2025.
“The Master of MV SEMA III expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Nigerian Navy for its timely intervention and exceptional professionalism,” Adams-Aliu said.
He added that the successful operation underscored the Navy’s renewed efforts under the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), to enhance maritime safety, protect critical national assets, and promote lawful economic activities within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
The latest rescue comes just days after the Navy saved 11 passengers from a sinking boat along the Bonny River in Rivers State.
According to the Navy, “On Tuesday, 4 November 2025, personnel of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Bonny rescued 11 passengers from a sinking speedboat along the Bonny River.
“The boat, which departed Nembe Waterside Jetty in Port Harcourt en route Coal Beach Jetty in Bonny Island, developed engine failure midstream and began taking in water near the Federal Ocean Terminal, Onne, Rivers State.
“The swift response of the Forward Operating Base Bonny patrol team under heavy rainfall prevented a major tragedy.
“All rescued passengers, six males and five females, were safely taken to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Jetty for medical checks and subsequently handed over to the Marine Police for reunification with their families.”
Meanwhile, the Navy said it has intensified anti-crude oil theft operations across the Niger Delta, deactivating multiple illegal refining sites in four different locations.
Source: Channels TV
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