Nigerian Navy Save 20 Crew As Ship Catch Fire for Cross River Waterway – One Person Still Dey Missing

Nigerian Navy: Gbas gbos start for Cross River waterways on Monday afternoon as one cargo vessel, MV Chimba Express, suddenly catch fire for Oron–Calabar axis near Calabar. The ship dey carry scrap materials and other logistics from Gabon enter Nigeria when wahala show face.
As smoke begin rise like old generator, the crew no waste time send distress call. Na so Nigerian Navy pick am up sharp sharp around 1:00pm. If dem delay small, gist for today fit be different story entirely.

People wey dey area say smoke full everywhere, water dey bubble like pepper soup. But as dem talk for street: “Where Navy dey, panic no too last.”

How NNS OSE Take Show Up Like Action Film

Na Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) OSE wey dey do routine patrol receive the emergency signal. According to Base Operations Officer of NNS VICTORY, Lieutenant Commander Kelechi Ahunanya, as dem reach scene, na thick smoke dem see first—no be small thing.

Nigerian Navy officers begin rescue operation immediately. Some crew don jump enter water, some still dey deck dey pray. With life buoys and correct coordination, dem rescue people one by one, like exam invigilator dey pick scripts after time don end.

First aid follow immediately, no long talk. Out of 21 crew members, 20 don safe—14 Nigerians and 7 Cameroonians. Navy prove say dem no dey only wear uniform for fashion.

One Engineer Missing, Search Still Dey Go On

Lieutenant Commander Ahunanya confirm say Chief Engineer still missing. According to report, the man jump enter water because e fear say explosion fit happen. Since then, nobody don sight am, and search-and-rescue still dey continue as Nigerian Navy no wan rest.

Support come from Forward Operating Base Ibaka, Naval Security Station 030 Houseboat, and even local fishermen wey sabi water pass Google Map. Navy also bring portable pumps come fight the fire, wey affect middle and back part of the vessel.

Nigerian Navy still use the opportunity remind everybody say dem committed to protecting lives, vessels, and Nigeria maritime space. As dem say for barracks: “Water no be jungle.”

Flashback: When LagFerry Catch Fire for Lagos

This Cross River incident no be the first time fire go disturb water transport for Nigeria this year. For April, one LagFerry boat – Igbega Eko catch fire for Ipakodo Ferry Terminal, Ikorodu, Lagos.

The incident happen early morning around 6:45am when commuters dey rush go work. People hear loud bang before fire show face. Panic scatter everywhere, but luckily only four passengers get minor injuries.

According to LASWA, the injured people dey receive treatment. The matter serve as reminder say safety for water no be joke—because fire no dey ask whether na road or river.