A tragic incident has rocked Delta State after a Nigerian Navy gunboat capsized in the creeks of the Warri River, leading to the confirmed deaths of six individuals, including three Navy personnel and two members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Authorities have confirmed that a search-and-rescue operation is ongoing for additional passengers still missing.
The ill-fated patrol vessel, which was reportedly on a routine security and inspection mission, capsized late Tuesday afternoon near the Escravos waterway, a volatile region known for its strong tides and high-risk terrain. Eyewitnesses say the boat was carrying both military personnel and civilians when it was overwhelmed by a sudden current, flipping the vessel and tossing its occupants into the river.
“We saw the boat struggling against the tide before it suddenly flipped. People were shouting, and some tried to swim to safety,” said a local fisherman who witnessed the scene.
Among the deceased are three Navy officers, whose names are being withheld until their families are formally notified, and two NYSC corps members believed to be on assignment in the area. A sixth victim has yet to be officially identified. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of more casualties, as several individuals remain unaccounted for.
The Nigerian Navy Eastern Naval Command, in a brief statement issued Wednesday morning, confirmed the incident and said investigations are underway to determine the cause of the capsizing. Preliminary reports suggest that bad weather, overloading, or possible equipment failure could have played a role.
“This is a deeply unfortunate incident. Our thoughts are with the families of the fallen, and we are sparing no resources in the search and recovery operations,” said Rear Admiral A.B. Lawal, spokesperson for the Navy.
The Delta State Government has pledged full support to the military and emergency teams responding to the disaster, while the NYSC Directorate has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of its members, calling it “a painful reminder of the risks faced by young Nigerians serving the nation in remote and high-risk areas.”
As rescue efforts continue, the tragic event has renewed concerns over maritime safety, the protection of corps members, and the adequacy of the Navy’s patrol equipment in the Niger Delta’s challenging waterways.
