By corrrespondent
A gunboat mishap has occurred in Delta State claiming the lives of six personnel attached to the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta
The boat reportedly defied heavy rains to deliver a free medical outreach in Okerenkoko,Gbaramutu Kingdom,Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State before the incident occurred .
Current matters gathered that the unfortunate Navy boat mishap occurred on Thursday evening, shortly after the team had concluded the first day of a two-day humanitarian exercise in the community.
Further information revealed that the naval gunboat—EPENAL Gunboat DE 24 — capsized at position LAT 05° 36.408’N / LONG 005° 11.982’E, directly in front of Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL).
The vessel was said to be conveying 15 people — nine serving Navy personnel and six civilians, including NYSC members—from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos to their hotel accommodation in Arunton community when it sank.
The Nigerian Navy’s swift search and rescue team reportedly recovered 12 individuals from the waters, who were rushed to the CNL clinic.
Unfortunately six, out of whom three are serving naval personnel and three are civilians, were confirmed dead by the attending Chief Medical Officer on duty.
Reports indicate that as of Friday morning, divers had recovered the bodies of the following victims: Commander JO Eidangbe, Petty Officer Abolarinwa, Ordinary Seaman Tena, Miss Chinenye (National Youth Service Corps member), Miss Dorcas (NYSC member) and Master Destiny (boat driver).
Three persons: Lieutenant DK Nehemiah, Sub-Lieutenant Kwala, and Miss Uche (another corps member)—remained missing as of the time of filing this report, with rescue efforts still ongoing.
The free medical outreach—held in collaboration with EMT Foundation—was part of the Navy’s non-kinetic strategy under Operation Delta Sanity II, as directed by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla.
It aimed to deliver essential healthcare to remote communities in Delta’s creeks, many of whom are cut off from regular medical services.
“The Medical Rhapsody brings healthcare closer to our host communities, which are critical allies in combating insecurity,”Commander of the NNS, Commodore Abdulazeez Zubairu earlier had stated represented by Navy Captain Ayi Archibong, Executive Officer,NNS Delta.
The programme offered
check-ups, treatments, prescriptions, and health counselling — all free of charge to scores of residents from Okerenkoko and surrounding communities who turned up in the rain to benefit from the exercise.
