The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Jubilee says it has rescued two kidnap victims and recovered stolen outboard engines during an operation along the Ibeno waterways in Akwa Ibom.

The commander, Commodore Mohammed Manga, made the disclosure to journalists in Uyo on Wednesday.

Mr Manga said that the operation followed an intelligence report received by the NNS Jubilee Maritime Quick Response Team.

The commander said that the report disclosed suspected activities of sea robbers and kidnappers who mainly target fishermen.

He said that the suspected kidnappers forcibly took away fishing boats and outboard engines from fishermen.

The naval officer said that personnel of the response team, in conjunction with a community surveillance outfit, mobilised to the area to counter the criminal activities.

“During the patrol, the navy gunboat sighted and engaged two suspected criminal boats.

“The encounter forced the suspected criminals to divert into nearby creeks in an attempt to evade the security forces,” he said.

Mr Manga further said that the suspected criminals fled and abandoned one of their boats containing stolen outboard engines and two kidnapped victims.

He urged owners of the recovered outboard engines to provide proof of ownership in order to reclaim their property.

The commander further said that efforts were ongoing to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

He stated that the operation was a demonstration of the navy’s sustained efforts to safeguard the nation’s maritime domain.

The commander reaffirmed NNS Jubilee’s commitment to sustaining aggressive patrols and coordinated operations to curb sea robbery, kidnapping and other forms of maritime crime.

(NAN)