The Nigerian Navy executed a swift and successful rescue operation on Monday, saving 20 crew members from a burning vessel in the waters of Cross River State.
Swift Response to Distress Call
The incident unfolded on Monday, December 22, 2025, when the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS OSE, received an urgent distress signal. The call came from the Motor Vessel MV Chimba Express, which was travelling from Gabon to Calabar loaded with scrap materials and other logistics. Lieutenant Commander Kelechi Ahunanya, the Base Operations Officer of Nigerian Navy Ship VICTORY, confirmed the details.
Ahunanya stated that NNS OSE was conducting a routine patrol along the Oron–Calabar waterways when the call came in at approximately 1:00 pm. The naval team immediately altered course to respond to the emergency.
Dramatic Rescue Operation
Upon reaching the scene, the naval personnel were met with a critical situation. Thick, billowing smoke was pouring from the vessel, indicating a serious fire on board. The crew of the MV Chimna Express, facing imminent danger, had begun to abandon ship.
The Nigerian Navy sailors launched into immediate action. Using life buoys, they rescued crew members who were already in the water and those who were stranded on the deck of the burning vessel. A total of 20 individuals were successfully pulled to safety and administered first aid by the naval team.
The vessel had a crew complement of 21 persons, consisting of 14 Nigerians and 7 Cameroonians. Tragically, the Chief Engineer of the vessel remains missing. Reports indicate he jumped into the water, fearing a potential explosion on board. Ahunanya confirmed that search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate him.
Coordinated Effort to Contain the Blaze
The firefighting and rescue effort was a coordinated mission. Personnel from the Forward Operating Base Ibaka and the Naval Security Station 030 Houseboat joined the operation. Local fishermen in the area also provided crucial support to the naval teams.
To combat the flames, which had engulfed the midship and aft sections of the MV Chimba Express, NNS OSE deployed portable pumps. This action was vital in preventing the fire from causing further damage or a possible environmental disaster.
In his statement, Lieutenant Commander Ahunanya reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Navy to ensuring the safety of all seafarers and protecting maritime assets within the nation's territorial waters. This mission, he noted, aligns directly with the strategic objectives of the Chief of the Naval Staff.
