Omo, e be like say wahala don land for Calabar waterways as Nigerian Navy show dem say dem dey ready! Fire burn Motor Vessel (MV) Chimba Express wey carry 21 crew members, and na so dem quickly respond to distress call on top Monday, 22 December 2025.

As NNS OSE de patrol for the area, dem hear say fire dey burn the ship wey dey carry scrap materials from Gabon come Calabar. Na 1:00 p.m. dem reach there, and wetin dem see e no be small! Thick smoke dey rise from the vessel like say dem dey do jollof for inside.

Some of the crew don jump enter water to escape fire, while others dey stranded on top the deck. Na so dem quickly organize wetin dem sabi do best—rescue mission! With life buoys and their emergency tools, dem successfully carry 20 crew members come out. First aid follow straight after, make sure say dem dey okay.

Out of the total 21 crew members, 14 na Nigerians, and 7 na Cameroonians. But one person, the Chief Engineer, still dey miss after e jump enter water fear say the ship go blow. Now, search and rescue team still dey work hard to find am. Wetin concern Nigeria Navy no be small!

Dem no dey do this work alone oh! Local fishermen join the operation, and personnel from Forward Operating Base Ibaka and Naval Security Station 030 dey support the rescue. Dem also carry portable pumps to quench the fire wey don start dey destroy midship and aft section of the vessel. This kind action dey show say Nigerian Navy dey serious to protect our water and seafarers.

According to di Chief of Naval Staff, e talk say this kind rescue operation dey part of their mission to build strong and professional naval force wey fit secure Nigeria waters. Na long way wey dey ahead, but this na better start!

Just to add, earlier this year for April, another vessel wey be LagFerry, Igbega Eko, also catch fire as e dey go Victoria Island. Four passengers get small injury, but dem manage escape before e turn hot!