Metro

Tragedy As Navy Boat Capsizes After Free Medical Outreach In Delta

Published

2 months ago

July 6, 2025

Photo: File copy

…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.

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.

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.

“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

Bandits Invade Kwara Community, Kill One, Kidnap Eight Others

Published

6 hours ago

September 7, 2025

Editor

Shagbe village and its environs in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State was, at the weekend, thrown into confusion following the killing of one person and the kidnapping of eight others by bandits.

A source, who spoke with The Guardian, noted that the bandits were armed to the teeth with weapons ranging from guns of different shapes and sizes, as well as clubs.

According to a source (names withheld), the bandits waged brutal attacks that scared away youths and other able-bodied villagers.

The source told our reporter on the phone that the attack occurred at about 9:15 pm on Saturday.

He said: “One person was killed during the violent invasion and eight others declared missing.”

A police source disclosed that the confusion has prompted the Commissioner of Police (CP), Adekimi Ojo, to order the concerned Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to the village.

He, however, added: “The volatile situation in our community has made an on-the-spot assessment unrealistic.”

CP Ojo confirmed the attack, saying that the DPO of Oke-Ode is already in the area for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation

Metro

Amotekun Arrests Suspected Kidnapper In Osun

Published

8 hours ago

September 7, 2025

Editor

The Osun Amotekun Corps says it has arrested a suspected kidnapper, Ayobola Awe, in the Isokun area of Ilesa.

This was contained in a statement issued by Mr Yusuf Abass, the Public Relations Officer for the Corps, on Sunday in Osogbo.

The statement said that the suspect, popularly called ” Bishop Awasere”, had been on the wanted list of some security agencies over alleged murder and kidnapping.

It stated that Awe and his notorious gang were tracked to a hideout in the Isokun area of Ilesa at 5:59p.m.

“During the raid, Amotekun operatives recovered hard drugs and a cache of assorted charms believed to be used by the gang for spiritual fortification.

“We have also launched a manhunt on some gang members that managed to escape during the operation,” the statement added.

According to the statement, the arrest represents a significant stride in the fight against violent crime in the state and its surrounding areas.
(VANGUARD)

Metro

Police Foil Robbery Attacks On Anambra Roads, Recover Vehicles

Published

1 day ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command said it has repelled armed robbery attacks in Oba and Awka areas of the state, with two stolen vehicles earlier snatched by the robbery gang recovered.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the police patrols have continued to foil plans of criminals following the security and safety measures put in place by the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu.

Ikenga added that the swift response and coordinated chase by police operatives attached to the Central Police Station, Awka and police operatives attached to Oba Division, led to the recovery of the snatched vehicles from the criminals at different operations.

The statement read in part, “Police operatives have recovered two abandoned, but suspected snatched vehicles in Oba and Awka, respectively. Efforts are, however, ongoing to apprehend the culprits.

“The swift response and coordinated chase by Police Operatives attached to the Central Police Station, Awka, led to the recovery of a snatched Lexus ES 350 car with registration number Lagos – BDG 350 JR, along Parkers Road, Awka, on September 4, 2025, at about 10.10 pm.

“Four armed men, operating in a tricycle without a registration number, had earlier blocked the victim along Ifite Road, Amaenyi, forcing him to abandon his vehicle before they fled the scene with it.

“Similarly, in the early hours of September 5, 2025, police operatives attached to Oba Division received information that a black Lexus RX 300 Jeep with registration number Anambra – AWK 31 DU, had been abandoned by yet-to-be-identified persons around Mummy Hotel axis, along Owerri–Onitsha Expressway, Oba.

“Upon receipt of the information, police operatives moved swiftly to the location and recovered the vehicle, which has since been towed to the station for safekeeping.

“To this end, the command appreciates the good people of Anambra for their timely and useful information, noting that effective collaboration between the Police and the public remains a key strategy in combating crime.”