Gideon Gwaza: Navy officer who died saving crew members buried in Abuja

The Nigerian Navy has laid to rest Lt.-Commander Gideon Gwaza, the Base Operations Officer of its Forward Operating Base in Bonny, at the Military Cemetery in Abuja.

Gwaza tragically drowned on July 30 while rescuing 59 crew members from a merchant vessel at the Okpobo field, near the Okpobo River in Rivers State.

The burial ceremony was attended by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, along with principal officers from the Defence and services headquarters.

Vice Admiral Ogalla paid tribute to the late officer, calling him a “born soldier and a man of impeccable character.”

He stated, “Gwaza died serving not just the Nigerian Navy, but humanity. He was on a mission to rescue a merchant vessel in distress, which was on the verge of sinking. Sadly, due to the unpredictable nature of the sea, he had an accident and lost his life.

“However, the Merchant Vessel (MV) Ambika and all 59 crew members were saved, though we lost this gallant officer in the process.”

The CNS urged Nigerian Navy personnel to maintain their patriotism, despite the inherent risks of their duties.

“The role we perform is a patriotic duty,” Ogalla said. “Even with the risks to our lives, we must not shy away from our responsibilities. This is the commitment we made when we enlisted in this service.”

Ogalla assured that the Nigerian Navy and other branches of the nation’s Armed Forces would continue to support the families of those who die in the line of duty, as outlined in the terms and conditions of service.

“We are committed to ensuring the welfare of our men, including those we have lost. We will take it upon ourselves to fill the gap left by this brave officer, particularly for his family,” he added.

He also mentioned plans to provide a suitable accommodation for Gwaza’s family as part of the Navy’s welfare schemes.

Mrs. Salomi Gwaza, the widow of the deceased, remembered her husband as a “man who deeply loved his family and nurtured them in the way of the Lord.”