The Nigerian Navy said to have rescued 10 crew members from a distressed vessel, MV SEMA III, which was en route to Calabar from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

In a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Ayiwuyor Adams-Aliu, said that the Navy had proven its swift response capability and dedication to saving lives at sea.

He said the operation was carried out by personnel of Forward Operating Base IBAKA on Friday.

According to him, “Acting on a distress call received around 2000 hours, a naval gunboat equipped with a submersible pump was immediately deployed.

“On arrival, the team discovered the vessel taking in water and promptly evacuated all occupants, comprising one Cameroonian, one Equatorial Guinean and eight Nigerians, who were later received, debriefed, and catered for at FOB IBAKA until Saturday.

“The Master of MV SEMA III expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Nigerian Navy for its timely intervention and exceptional professionalism,” he said.

He stressed that the successful rescue operation underscores the Nigerian Navy’s renewed efforts under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), to ensure maritime safety, protection of critical national assets, and promotion of lawful economic activities within Nigeria’s maritime domain.