By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – Twenty (20) crew members on board Motor Vessel (MV) Chimba Express have been rescued by personnel of the Nigerian Navy (NN) following a fire incident along Calabar waterways.
According to a statement by Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, Director of Naval Information, on Monday, 22 December 2025, one person is still missing from the vessel.
“The successful rescue operation commenced at about 1pm when Nigerian Navy Ship OSE, while on routine sea patrol received a distress call from the endangered vessel.
“On arrival at the scene, it was observed that some crew members had jumped overboard while others were stranded on the exposed deck,” Adams-Aliu stated.
He added that, “Through a coordinated effort of NN personnel from NNS OSE, Naval Security Station 030 and Forward Operating Base IBAKA, 20 crew members were rescued while a search operation was initiated for one person who is the Chief Engineer.”
The statement confirmed that there were only 21 persons on board MV CHIMBA EXPRESS.
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Adams-Aliu said, “While concerted efforts are ongoing to locate the missing Chief Engineer, the successful rescue of 20 persons underscores the visionary leadership and strategic direction of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, (Admiralty Medal) whose vision is to develop a modern, agile and professional naval force dedicated to securing Nigeria’s maritime domain.”
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