The Nigerian Navy has said that personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) IBAKA have
rescued ten crew members from a distressed vessel, MV SEMA III.
NN’s Director of Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, who disclosed this on Monday, said the vessel was en route to Calabar from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, and was rescued on Friday, 7th November 2025.
Adams-Aliu explained that a naval gunboat equipped with a submersible pump was swiftly deployed to the scene following a distress call received at about 8:00 PM.
Upon arrival, the team discovered that the vessel was taking in water and promptly evacuated all ten occupants — comprising one Cameroonian, one Equatorial Guinean, and eight Nigerians.
“The rescued crew were safely received, debriefed, and provided with necessary care at FOB IBAKA until Saturday, 8 November 2025. The Master of MV SEMA III expressed deep appreciation to the Nigerian Navy for its timely intervention and exemplary professionalism”, Adams-Aliu stated, adding that “the successful rescue operation underscores the Nigerian Navy’s sustained efforts to enhance maritime safety, safeguard national critical assets and promote lawful economic activities within Nigeria’s maritime domain”.
