“Heroic Nigerian Navy Rescue Operation Saves 59 Lives but Claims the Life of a Brave Officer”

In a display of courage and dedication, the Nigerian Navy successfully rescued 59 individuals from the brink of disaster in turbulent waters near the Okpobo River entrance, but tragically lost one of its own in the process. The news, shared by security analyst and counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama on his social media platform, X, detailed the intense and harrowing rescue operation that unfolded on the night of July 29, 2024.

The crisis began when the Nigerian Navy received a distress call from the MV AMBIKA 4, a dredging vessel contracted to Sterling Global Oil Limited, which was perilously close to sinking in the notoriously rough waters of the Okpobo River. Recognizing the urgent threat, the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base BONNY immediately deployed a rescue team led by the courageous Lieutenant Commander Gideon Yashim Gwaza. The team, consisting of 10 armed personnel in two interceptor boats, braved the treacherous waves in a desperate bid to save the vessel’s crew.

Despite their best efforts, the ferocity of the waves proved too great, prompting the dispatch of additional reinforcements, including a squadron of three more boats, the Nigerian Navy Ship GONGOLA, drones, and helicopters from both the Navy and the Nigerian Air Force. The rescue mission, which lasted a grueling 10 hours from midnight on July 29 until 10:00 AM on July 30, culminated in the successful evacuation of all 59 crew members from the distressed vessel.

However, the operation was not without its tragic cost. Lieutenant Commander Gideon Yashim Gwaza, the Base Operations Officer who led the mission, tragically fell overboard during the operation and lost his life. A highly trained combat diver, Lieutenant Commander Gwaza’s untimely death serves as a stark reminder of the immense risks and sacrifices faced by Nigerian Navy personnel in safeguarding the nation’s maritime domain.

The Nigerian Navy, in a statement by Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, Director of Information, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Lieutenant Commander Gwaza, hailing him as a hero whose bravery and dedication to duty will forever be remembered. His sacrifice underscores the unyielding commitment of the Nigerian Navy to protecting lives at sea, even at the highest personal cost.