The Nigerian Navy has rescued 20 crew members from the motor vessel Chimba Express after a fire broke out onboard near the entrance of the Calabar Channel, close to Ibaka.
Lieutenant Commander Kelechi Ahunanya, Base Operations Officer of NNS Victory, said the Navy received a distress call from the vessel reporting the fire around 1:00 p.m. December 22, 2025.
The base immediately deployed its gunboats and vectored Nigerian Navy Ship Ose to the scene to provide assistance. Naval assets arrived at the site within 25 to 30 minutes of receiving the call.
Upon arrival, the Navy successfully rescued 20 crew members. Unfortunately, one crew member jumped overboard before the Navy ship reached the vessel.
A search party has been deployed to locate the missing seafarer, with operations ongoing to bring him to safety.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by an electrical fault, likely originating from an appliance in the engine room. Lieutenant Commander Ahunanya noted that the swift response highlights the Navy’s commitment to maritime safety and emergency response.
