Nigerian Navy Dismantles Extortion Network, Frees Fishermen and Commuters in Bonny Creeks

The Nigerian Navy has intensified its fight against maritime crimes in Rivers State, following an operation that disrupted an extortion syndicate terrorising fishermen, commuters and residents along the Bonny Creek axis.

The operation, conducted by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) BONNY in collaboration with troops of the Nigerian Army, targeted a criminal hideout in Asaramatoru Community after receiving credible intelligence on the activities of suspected criminals operating in the area.

According to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Nigerian Navy, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation forced the criminals to abandon their hideout, while a subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of several operational items.

Items recovered during the operation included a 7.62mm empty magazine, a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) butt, multiple ATM cards and other materials considered valuable for intelligence gathering.

The Navy disclosed that interactions with members of the community revealed that the criminal group had converted the area into a base for launching attacks on fishermen and waterway users, while also imposing illegal levies and demanding proceeds from market activities.

The successful operation has restored confidence among residents and other users of the Bonny Creek corridor, while significantly disrupting the activities of the criminal syndicate.

The Nigerian Navy further stated that the intelligence gathered from the operation would support ongoing efforts to identify, track and dismantle the wider criminal network operating within the maritime environment.

Reaffirming its commitment to securing Nigeria’s coastal communities, the Navy said it would continue to conduct intelligence-led operations aimed at denying criminal elements the opportunity to use the nation’s waterways for kidnapping, sea robbery, extortion and other illegal activities.