The Nigerian Navy has said its troops rescued 99 persons from drowning in the Rivers Waters.
A statement by Naval Spokesman Commodore A. Adams-Aliu said the incident occurred on Tuesday, 29 April, when a barge, ADAM (Damen Buba), was involved in a head-on collision with a market boat en route to Akuku Toru LGA in Rivers State, resulting in significant structural damage to the market boat.
He said a Nigerian Navy rescue team from Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER swiftly undertook an operation to save the 99 persons from drowning in the waters of Rivers State.
“Swiftly, Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER personnel deployed to Naval Security Station 035 in collaboration with four other Navy Gunboats launched a coordinated and effective search and rescue operation, saving all 99 passengers onboard, despite the challenging conditions,” he said.
The statement added that most passengers’ goods were also salvaged successfully.
“The timely intervention and prompt response of Nigerian Navy personnel ensured that no lives were lost and most of the valuable properties were preserved,” he added.
He reassured that the Nigerian Navy, under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, will continue to ensure the security and safety of all legitimate seafarers within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
