Navy Mourns Officer Who Saved 59 from Drowning
The Nigerian Navy is mourning the loss of its personnel, Lieutenant Commander Gideon Yashim Gwaza, who lost his life while leading a rescue operation to save 59 crew members from a sinking dredging vessel, MV AMBIKA 4, in Rivers State.
Commodore A Adams-Aliu, Director of Information, said in a statement today that the tragic incident occurred on July 30, 2024. Lieutenant Commander Gwaza, a seasoned combat diver, led a team of 10 personnel in two interceptor boats to rescue the stranded crew.
According to Adams-Aliu, the vessel, contracted to Sterling Global Oil Limited, was struggling to stay afloat near the turbulent Okpobo River entrance when the Nigerian Navy received a distress call.
“Despite treacherous waves and challenging conditions, the Nigerian Navy deployed additional resources, including three more boats, the Nigerian Navy Ship GONGOLA, drones, and helicopters from the Navy and Air Force. After a grueling 10-hour operation, all 59 crew members were successfully rescued,” he said.
Gwaza fell overboard accidentally during the rescue operation, which lasted from midnight on July 29, 2024, to 10:00 hours on July 30, 2024.
The statement read in part: “The Nigerian Navy deeply mourns the loss of Lieutenant Commander Gideon Yashim Gwaza, who bravely risked his life to save others.
“Lieutenant Commander Gwaza was a well-trained combat diver whose painful death reflects the risks and sacrifices of Nigerian Navy personnel towards the safety of Nigeria’s maritime domain.
READ ALSO Jilli Airstrike: Supporters Of Terrorists Will Be Treated As Bandits, Defence Minister Warns Defence Minister Christopher Musa has warned that supporters of terrorists would be treated as criminals. He said this on Monday as he reacted to the airstrike carried out by the Nigerian Air Force airstrike in Jilli, Borno State, over the weekend. Speaking after an expanded security meeting in Kaduna with the state governor and heads of security agencies, Musa said the operation sends a clear message to those collaborating with terrorist groups. He stressed that anyone found supporting insurgents would face the same consequences as the perpetrators. “A friend of a thief is a thief,” he said, warning civilians against associating with or providing any form of assistance to terrorists. Musa urged residents to steer clear of areas known to be used by insurgents, noting that proximity or collaboration could have grave consequences. The airstrike, carried out near the village of Jilli in Gubio Local Government Area, targeted what the military described as an ISWAP enclave and logistics hub. According to the Nigerian Air Force, the operation was intelligence-driven and aimed at neutralising terror elements and destroying their equipment. However, reports have emerged alleging that the strike may have affected a weekly market in the area, with civilians, including cross-border traders, reportedly among casualties. Musa, however, maintained that the strike should serve as a strong warning to those aiding insurgent activities, reaffirming the military’s resolve to intensify operations against terrorist networks. Air Component of Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, conducted a precision air strike on a known terrorist enclave and logistics hub located near the abandoned village of Jilli in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State. Giving an update on the airstrike, the Nigerian Army in a post on its official X handle said, “The successful strike, executed on 11 April 2026, followed sustained intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions over the Bindul–Jilli axis, an area long identified as a major terrorist movement corridor and convergence point for Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists and their collaborators.”
“His dedication and sacrifice will forever be remembered.”
