News
Nigerian Naval Commander dies during rescue operation
A senior Nigerian Naval Officer, Lieutenant Commander Gideon Gwaza, has lost his life during operations to rescue 59 people from a dredging vessel, MV AMBIKA 4, working at Opobo field near Opobo River.
The late Officer was a member of the crew of Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny, on the rescue operation and bravely risked his life to save others. He however fell overboard accidentally during the operation, which lasted for about 10 hours.
The Director of Naval Information, Naval Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, said the rescue operation was between midnight of 29 July to 1000 hours on 30 July, adding that all the 59 people were rescued, lamenting that the officer paid a supreme price.
Adams-Aliu in a statement on Friday said the area was known to be turbulent at this time of the year adding that the dredging vessel worked at the Opobo field contracted to Sterling Global Oil Limited.
The statement said it was reported that the vessel was at risk of sinking near Opobo River entrance, an area known to be turbulent at this time of the year, hence, officers were deployed for the rescue operation
“Accordingly, Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Bonny deployed a Rescue Team comprising 10 armed personnel in two Interceptor Boats led by the Base Operations Officer for the rescue operation. Attempts to approach the distressed vessel proved challenging due to the force of the waves, and another squadron of three boats was dispatched to reinforce the rescue team’, he said.
“Additionally, another vessel, Nigerian Navy Ship GONGOLA, drones, Nigerian Navy Helicopters, and one Nigerian Air Force helicopter were deployed for the Search and Rescue mission. Eventually, all 59 crew were rescued successfully but the Base Operations Officer, Gwaza, paid the supreme price,” he said.
‘The Nigerian Navy deeply mourns the loss of Gwaza, who bravely risked his life to save others.He 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,” he added.
Two Nigerian-born scientists—Adesola Adegoke, a researcher at Arizona State University (ASU), and Seunnla Adelusi, a PhD candidate at the Université de Sherbrooke, Canada—have been named among the 20 global winners of the Digital GreenTalents Award 2025.
These two Nigerians were announced among the winners during a virtual ceremony held on 25 November. In a statement following the virtual announcement ceremony, the organisers said the 20 awardees for this year joined from different time zones, including “very early morning in Canada and evening hours in the Philippines.”
The digital Green Talent Award is an annual initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) that recognises outstanding young researchers whose work advances sustainability through digital innovation.
Each year, 20 scientists are selected from a competitive global pool for their cutting-edge ideas at the intersection of digitalisation and environmental sustainability.
Alex Otti, the Abia State Governor, on Sunday paid a visit to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
The governor was accompanied by officials of the Sokoto State Government during the closed-door visit.
Nnamdi Kanu was recently moved to Sokoto after he was convicted on terrorism-related charges and handed a life sentence by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Governor Otti had earlier promised to pursue every lawful and political avenue to ensure that Kanu gets justice. Sunday’s visit is seen as part of ongoing efforts by the Abia State Government regarding his case.
Details of the meeting were not made public as of the time of this report.
Armed terrorists have abducted a bride-to-be, her bridesmaid, and eight other residents from Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State
The Sokoto abduction occurred around 1:30 a.m., according to residents, when the attackers stormed the village. Most of the victims were women, with only one man also taken.
One resident sustained injuries and is receiving medical treatment. Villagers told reporters that the bride was preparing for her wedding scheduled for later that morning when the raid struck, plunging the community into shock and mourning.
A community member described the attack as “tragic,” noting the delay in security response. “Security operatives were alerted immediately, but they only arrived about an hour after the bandits had fled,” he said, expressing frustration.
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