By Omolara Akintoye
About 99 passengers have been rescued from drowning in Rivers State by operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER.
The passengers were rescued after a market boat enroute Akuku Toru LGA in Rivers State was involved in a collision with a barge, ADAM (Damen Buba).
The market boat, according to a statement by Director of Naval Information (DINFO), Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, suffered significant structural damage which endangered the lives of all onboard.
Consequently, a distress call was made to the Navy, and the operational base deployed a rescue team comprising operatives at the Naval Security Station 035 with four other Navy gunboats.
“The rescue party launched a coordinated and effective search and rescue operation, saving all 99 passengers onboard, despite the challenging conditions. Furthermore, most of the passengers’ goods were also salvaged successfully.
“The timely intervention and prompt response of Nigerian Navy personnel ensured that no life was lost and most of the valuable properties were preserved,” he said.
Adams-Aliu said the Navy, under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, would continue to ensure the security and safety of all legitimate seafarers within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
