The Nigerian Navy has rescued 20 crew members from a burning vessel along the Calabar axis of the Oron–Calabar waterways in Cross River State.
The rescue operation was carried out on Monday by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) OSE following a distress call from Motor Vessel Chimba Express, which was en route from Gabon to Calabar carrying scrap materials and other logistics.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Base Operations Officer of Nigerian Navy Ship VICTORY, Lieutenant Commander Kelechi Ahunanya, the naval patrol vessel was on routine patrol when it received the distress call at about 1:00 pm.
According to the statement, naval personnel observed thick smoke billowing from the vessel on arrival at the scene, prompting immediate rescue operations that led to the successful evacuation of all 20 crew members.
The Nigerian Navy reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and ensuring safety across Nigeria’s waterways.
