Metro
Tragedy As Navy Boat Capsizes After Free Medical Outreach In Delta

…six bodies recovered, three still missing
A tragic gunboat mishap has claimed the lives of six personnel attached to the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, who had earlier defied heavy rains to deliver a free medical outreach in Okerenkoko, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.
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 riverside community.
Nigerian Tribune correspondent, who accompanied the naval medical team from Warri Naval Base on Thursday morning for the two-day free health rhapsody, gathered that at about 7:45 pm the same day, 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 reportedly 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.
READ ALSO: Six Passengers Dead In Boat Mishap, Nine Rescued
It was gathered that the Nigerian Navy’s swift search and rescue team recovered 12 individuals from the waters, who were rushed to the CNL clinic.
Tragically, six, out of whom three are serving naval personnel and three are civilians, were confirmed dead by the attending Chief Medical Officer on duty.
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 Commander of the NNS, Delta, Commodore Abdulazeez Zubairu, has yet to issue an official statement on the tragedy.
READ ALSO:Navy Rescues 99 In Rivers Boat Mishap
The naval medical team had earlier, on Thursday, been received warmly at Okerenkoko community hall, Gbaramatu Kingdom, where the Commander of NNS Delta, Commodore Abdulazeez Zubairu (represented by Navy Captain Ayi Archibong, Executive Officer NNS Delta), had reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to national security and community engagement.
“The Nigerian Navy has the constitutional responsibility to ensure security across the country’s maritime environment. To fulfil this mandate, the Navy engages in Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities aimed at building strong and positive relationships with the public,” Commodore Zubairu had noted.
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.
READ ALSO: Seven Die, 23 Rescued In Greece Boat Accident
“The Medical Rhapsody brings healthcare closer to our host communities, which are critical allies in combating insecurity,” Zubairu stated.
Scores of residents from Okerenkoko and surrounding communities turned up in the rain to benefit from the exercise, which offered check-ups, treatments, prescriptions, and health counselling — all free of charge.
Pastor Christmas Ikare James, Assistant Secretary of the Okerenkoko community, had described the initiative as historic and timely.
“We’re deeply grateful to the Navy. At a time like this when basic healthcare is beyond the reach of many, this outreach means a lot to our people,” he said.
While the outreach was concluded on Friday in spite of the tragedy, the mood across the creek communities has turned sombre as the Navy and community mourn the loss of gallant officers and civilians who died in the line of service.
Details later…
Metro
20 Feared Dead In Kogi Boat Mishap

At least 20 people have been confirmed dead following a boat accident that occurred on Tuesday evening in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The incident, which happened around 4:30 p.m. on September 30, involved a boat conveying traders and residents from the Onugwa community to Ilushi market before it capsized on the River Niger.
An eyewitness, James Otoga, a farmer in the area, said the boat was fully loaded with passengers heading to the market ahead of the October 1st Independence Day celebration.
READ ALSO:Fresh Boat Accident Kills 29 In Niger
“The boat was fully loaded with our people going to the market. Only five survivors have been rescued so far, while 20 bodies have been recovered. Many more are still missing beneath the river,” he said.
Otoga added that some mourners who had attended a burial in Onugwa and were returning to Ilushi were also among the victims. The exact number of passengers on board could not be immediately confirmed.
Chairman of Ibaji Local Government, Hon. Ugeh Emmanuel, described the tragedy as the worst boat accident in the area’s history.
READ ALSO:Spain Cancels $825m Israel Arms Deal Over Gaza
“As I speak with you, no one can authoritatively state the actual number of casualties, and we cannot even ascertain the number of people on board from their departure point. The mishap occurred before the boat reached Ilushi. Most of the victims were on their way to celebrate October 1st as is the community’s tradition,” Emmanuel said.
The accident adds to a series of fatal boat mishaps recorded in Kogi, Niger, and other riverine states over the past year.
Efforts to reach the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebanji, and the agency’s Assistant General Manager (Corporate Affairs), Suleiman Makama, were unsuccessful as their phones could not be reached.
Metro
Court Remands NURTW Official In Correctional Centre Over Tricyclist’s Death

A Lagos Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ebute Meta yesterday ordered the remand of a National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) official, Samsideen Oladiti, also known as Shamelon, at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre over the death of a tricyclist in Lagos. Oladiti was arraigned before the court on a three-count charge for the first time since his arrest by the Lagos State Police Command.
The 55-year-old NURTW official allegedly attacked a dispatch rider, Omale Samuel, on September 17, 2025, at about 3:00 p.m. on Lagos Island, using a helmet and his fists to inflict serious injuries. The victim was rushed to hospital, placed on oxygen, and is still receiving treatment.
The following day, at about 11:00 a.m., police said another complaint was lodged against Oladiti in connection with an incident on August 28, 2025. During the altercation, the suspect allegedly used a metallic ring to repeatedly strike one Imam Ramon on the head and face, leaving him with severe injuries. Despite medical intervention, Ramon was confirmed dead by a doctor on September 17. His body has since been deposited in a mortuary for autopsy.
READ ALSO:Police Detain Lagos NURTW Leader For Killing Resident
Oladiti appeared before Chief Magistrate A. O. Akinde at Court 2, Ebute Meta, wearing a hooded black top and trousers, a face mask, and holding Islamic prayer beads. He stood in the dock as the three-count charge was read to him in English. He was called into the dock at 10:38 a.m. and exited at 10:53 a.m. after the magistrate ordered his remand at the correctional centre until October 28, 2025.
Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Shamusideen Oladiti, on August 27, 2025, at about 10:00 a.m., at Lewis Street, Lagos Island, in the Lagos State Magisterial District, did unlawfully beat Imam Ramon with fist blows all over his body, causing him harm. He was rushed to Lagos Island General Hospital, Marina, Lagos, where he later died, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. ”
Second-in-Command, Legal, Lagos State Police Command, Anthony Iyeye, said: “The case is a capital offence. Since he could not take a plea, the file will be duplicated and taken to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.”
When asked about the accomplices seen in a video of the incident, he said: “We have only been able to apprehend the one we charged, but the police are still looking for others.”
READ ALSO:Crisis Looms As NURTW Passes Vote Of No Confidence On Ex-president Baruwa
Also speaking, Uthman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Human Rights Committee said: “We were briefed by the family of the deceased to watch their brief. The court reviewed the file and determined that a prima facie case has been established against the defendant.”
Speaking at the court premises, the assaulted dispatch rider, Omale Samuel, said: “I was on the other side of the road to carry goods and I climbed on my bike to leave when he came to me saying that I was blocking the road and that dispatch riders are stubborn. He dragged my helmet and started using it to hit me. Others came and said, ‘Don’t you know Shamelon?’ And they started beating me.
They pushed me down and called the police to arrest me.
“I was taken to the police station and they realised that they could not keep me there because of my condition. I woke up three hours later and a police officer told me that I was placed on oxygen. I was told to return to the station the next day. I got there and saw a crowd of people and I was told he had been arrested.
“I haven’t been able to work since September 14, 2024, and I have been living off people. I want justice. I want the court to give me justice.”
Metro
Residents Abandon Homes, Stay Indoors Early As Kidnapping Surge Hits Nasarawa

Residents of Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, and surrounding communities are living in fear as kidnappers intensify their operations and adopt new tactics, forcing many victims and their families into silence even after paying large ransoms for their release.
The criminals, who previously struck mainly at night, now operate in the early evening when people return from work, trailing their targets to their homes and abducting them at gunpoint. In some cases, they fire shots into houses to scare victims into running outside, where they are seized.
The wave of abductions has driven some residents to relocate to neighbouring states and councils, while those who remain have resorted to staying indoors as early as 8:00 p.m. Despite increased patrols, security agencies have struggled to stop the attacks, as the kidnappers reportedly receive information about their targets from informants.
READ ALSO:Residents Flee Kogi Community Over Fear Of Bandit Attacks
Victims’ families often avoid involving security agencies due to threats from abductors, who closely monitor them through informants to prevent leaks that could compromise their operations. Many households have been impoverished by ransom payments, with some selling property or borrowing money to secure the release of loved ones.
The children of Mr Ibrahim Shekarau, a judge of the State High Court 4 in Mararraban Gurku, Karu Local Council, are among those currently in captivity after being abducted from their home in the 500 Housing Estate along Doma Road, Lafia. Efforts are ongoing to secure their release.
In another incident, gunmen invaded the Nasara Estate along Makurdi Road, near the Federal University of Lafia, and abducted several residents. Among those still held is Mrs Abiye Amezi, a lecturer at Nasarawa State Polytechnic, whose ordeal has highlighted the worsening security situation.
READ ALSO:Group Lauds President Tinubu, Buba On Security Evolvement Initiative
A pastor’s wife nursing a three-month-old baby was also abducted alongside a church member in Agyaragu, Obi Local Council. They were later released after a ransom was paid.
Meanwhile, police have arrested two suspects accused of threatening residents in Doma and Lafia with abduction unless they paid millions of naira. According to command spokesperson SP Ramhan Nansel, the suspects confessed to collecting N7 million from victims.
Governor Abdullahi Sule has expressed concern about political interference in criminal investigations, warning that it hampers the efforts of security agencies to curb the rising tide of kidnapping in the state.
The persistent insecurity has also created a climate of fear among journalists, many of who have become reluctant to carry out their duties due to the risk of abduction.
(GUARDIAN)
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