From ONYEKACHUKWU MELUWA, WARRI
What began as a noble humanitarian mission ended in heartbreak, as a Nigerian Navy gunboat ferrying personnel and civilians on a free medical outreach in Delta State capsised, killing six people and leaving three others missing.
The ill-fated vessel was conveying nine naval officers and six civilians, including members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, from Forward Operating Base, FOB, Escravos to their lodge in Arunton, after the first day of a medical outreach in Okerenkoko, Warri South-West Local Government Area.
Among the dead were three naval personnel, two female corps members simply identified as Chinenye and Dorcas, and the civilian boat driver named Destiny. Those still unaccounted for as at press time include two officers, Lieutenant DK Nehemiah and Sub-Lieutenant Kwala and another corps member, Miss Uche.
The tragic incident occurred around 7:45pm, directly in front of Chevron Nigeria’s facility. According to military sources, the boat, EPENAL Gunboat DE 24 suddenly capsized at coordinates LAT 05° 36.408’N/LONG 005° 11.982’E. A swift search-and-rescue operation by the navy led to the recovery of 12 individuals, six of whom were confirmed dead on arrival at Chevron clinic.
Despite the grief, the free medical outreach continued the following day in a quiet show of resilience and commitment, as the navy team delivered essential health services to residents of Okerenkoko and neighbouring riverine communities.
Commander of NNS Delta, Commodore Abdulazeez Zubairu, who had earlier reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to civil-military cooperation during the programme’s launch, was said to be deeply shaken.
Though an official statement is still being awaited, naval officers at Warri Base were reportedly in mourning.
“The Nigerian Navy has a constitutional duty to secure our maritime environment, but we also recognise the need to support the well-being of the people. That is why we are here to give back to the communities that live in these difficult terrains,” Commodore Zubairu had stated earlier through Navy Captain Ayi Archibong.
The outreach, which was organised in collaboration with EMT Foundation under Operation Delta Sanity II, had provided hundreds of locals with free consultations, medications and health education especially vital in a region where healthcare access is severely limited.
Assistant Secretary of Okerenkoko community, Pastor Christmas James described the incident as a “heavy blow” to a community that had been full of gratitude just hours before.
“These young people came to serve us not with guns, but with medicine and love. Losing them like this is painful beyond words. We pray for their families and hope those missing will be found,” he said.
As the navy continues search efforts for the missing, the tragedy has sparked nationwide sorrow and concern, particularly over the risks associated with water travel in Nigeria’s creeks and the sacrifices made by uniformed personnel and corps members serving in vulnerable areas.
The federal government is expected to issue a formal response, as calls grow for improved safety measures for security personnel and humanitarian workers operating in difficult terrains.
