Heroic Sacrifice: How Top Naval Officer Died While Rescuing 59 Others From Drowning In Navy Rescue Operation

Details have emerged how Lieutenant Commander Gideon Yashim Gwaza, the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Bonny Operations Officer lost his life during a major navy turbulent water rescue operation.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) reports that although the Nigerian Navy had successfully rescued 59 persons from drowning in turbulent waters near the Okpobo River entrance on July 30, 2024, the officer who led the rescue team, couldn’t make it home.

He was said to have fell overboard accidentally while trying to save others.

The rescue operation, which lasted for 10 hours, was in response to a distress call from MV AMBIKA 4, a dredging vessel at risk of sinking.

Despite challenging conditions, the Nigerian Navy deployed multiple assets, including interceptor boats, drones, helicopters, and a ship, to ensure the safe evacuation of the crew.

“The Nigerian Navy received a distress call from MV AMBIKA 4, a dredging vessel working at Okpobo field contracted to Sterling Global Oil Limited. It was reported that the vessel was at the risk of sinking near Okpobo River entrance an area known to be turbulent at this time of the year. Accordingly, Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base BONNY deployed a Rescue Team comprising 10 armed personnel in 2 Interceptor Boats led by the Base Operations Officer Lieutenant Commander Gideon Yashim Gwaza, for the rescue operation”, the navy disclosed in a statement.

The Nigerian Navy, in a terse message, said; “Attempts to approach the distressed vessel proved challenging due to the force of the waves and another squadron of 3 boats was dispatched to reinforce the rescue team. Additionally, another vessel, Nigerian Navy Ship GONGOLA, drones, Nigerian Navy Helicopters, and one Nigerian Airforce helicopter were deployed for the Search and Rescue mission”.

“Eventually, all 59 crew were rescued successfully but the Base Operations Officer, Lieutenant Commander Gideon Yashim Gwaza paid the supreme price. He fell overboard accidentally during the rescue operation which lasted for about 10hours from midnight of 29 July 2024 to 1000 hours on 30 July 2024”.

In the statement, the Nigerian Navy expressed deep condolences over the death of it personnel, whom they described as a brave and dedicated officer who made the ultimate sacrifice to save lives.

“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. His dedication and sacrifice will forever be remembered”, the statement reads.