Nigerian Navy Rescues Ten Crew Members from Sinking Vessel off Calabar WatersCalabar, Nigeria — November 8, 2025:

The Nigerian Navy has rescued ten crew members from a distressed vessel, MV SEMA III, which encountered difficulties while en route to Calabar from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

According to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, the rescue was carried out by personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka on Friday, November 7, 2025. The operation followed a distress call received around 8:00 p.m., prompting the immediate deployment of a naval gunboat equipped with a submersible pump.

Upon arrival at the scene, naval personnel found the vessel taking in water and swiftly evacuated all ten crew members—comprising one Cameroonian, one Equatorial Guinean, and eight Nigerians. The rescued individuals were safely brought to FOB Ibaka, where they were received, debriefed, and provided with necessary care until Saturday, November 8.

The Master of MV SEMA III expressed deep gratitude to the Nigerian Navy for its prompt intervention and high level of professionalism, which he credited with saving their lives.

Commodore Adams-Aliu noted that the successful rescue reflects the Navy’s continued commitment under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), to ensuring maritime safety, protecting national assets, and promoting lawful economic activities within Nigeria’s territorial waters.