NIGERIAN NAVY RESCUES 10 CREW MEMBERS FROM DISTRESSED VESSEL IN CALABAR

The Nigerian Navy has successfully rescued 10 crew members from the distressed vessel MV SEMA III, which was sailing from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, to Calabar. The rescued included one Cameroonian, one Equatorial Guinean, and eight Nigerian nationals.

According to the Naval Director of Information, Commodore A. Adams‑Aliu, the distress call was received on Friday, November 7, 2025, at around 8:00 p.m. A Navy gunboat equipped with a submersible pump was immediately dispatched to the vessel’s location.

On arrival, the team discovered that MV SEMA III was taking in water. All 10 occupants were safely evacuated and taken to the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, where they were debriefed and given medical attention. The master of the vessel expressed gratitude to the Navy for the timely and professional intervention.

The Nigerian Navy emphasized that the rescue operation aligns with its ongoing efforts under Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to enhance maritime safety, protect national assets, and promote lawful economic activities within Nigeria’s territorial waters.

This operation follows a similar rescue carried out just days earlier, in which Navy personnel at FOB Bonny saved 11 passengers from a sinking boat along the Bonny River in Rivers State.

The swift action of the Navy highlights the importance of maintaining vigilant maritime patrols and rapid response capabilities to ensure the safety of lives and property along Nigeria’s shipping routes.