Tears Flow As Navy Officer Who Died Rescuing 59 From Drowning Is Laid To Rest

Lieutenant Commander Gideon Gwaza, the Base Operations Officer of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Bonny who lost his life during a rescue operation in Rivers State, has been laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja.

The operation led to the rescue of 59 persons from a dredging vessel, MV AMBIKA 4, that was on the brink of sinking while operating at the Okpobo Field, near the Okpobo River.

Gwaza lost his life in the operation on July 30, 2024.

Speaking during the funeral ceremony, the Commanding Officer, Bonny, Captain M.A Mohammed said Gwaza knew the operation was risky but braved the odds to rescue the victims.

He added that apart from the operation that claimed his life, Gwaza had displayed courage in others.

Mohammed said, “After his passing, I’ve had cause to hear from two indigents in Bonny of how he rescued them from trouble in the dead of the night, single-handedly. I’ve also seen his courage displayed on numerous occasions. He tackled all his assigned tasks with the same vigour and selflessness.

“And it is these same attributes, I believe, that compelled him to go against all odds on that rescue mission, although we knew it was very risky. I am probably the last person to have seen him before he left and to have spoken with him. Throughout the five months of my time, there was no single day I did not hear Gidon’s voice.

“Up to this moment, I still hear it. He is a true hero and an asset, not just to the Navy, but to the nation as a whole. His personality transcends him, even beyond the shores of this country. We will miss him a great deal. The entire Bonny community already misses him. ”

Gwaza’s wife, Salome, said she was glad her husband died a hero.

She said, “We had nine years of deepest love, happiest marriage, and true partnership. He nurtured us all in the ways of the Lord. You were my number one role model. It’s hard for me to accept that you are no longer here. I wake up every day to see the cold space where you live. You were very intelligent. You were selfless. You were dedicated and brave.

“You loved your job so well and I’m glad you died as a hero. I will forever be proud of you. Your children will be proud of you. You were a true soldier who loved and cherished every moment spent together. I will love your children even more. I never thought you would leave this early.

“This was not the agreement. Our plan was to raise them together. Now that you’re no longer here, I pray God gives me the strength and all that I require to bring up this voice that you’ll be proud of and you’ll watch us from heaven and smile. ”

Salome promised to make her husband proud in death.

Gwaza’s elder sister, Ishaku Matilda, said, “You were born great. You had your whole life ahead of you. You exuded greatness in everything that you did. From childhood, you were good at everything. You excelled at everything.

“You’re always acting like you were older than me. I understand you were only protecting me. Even though you’re no longer here in the flesh, I carry you in my heart and spirit always.”

Speaking, the Chief of Naval Staff described Gwaza’s death as sad.

Ogalla said, “It is a very sad event to us, the Nigerian Navy family and the armed forces in general. We have all listened to the tributes said about the officer. From all that has been said and from the enquiries that I have made, and also looking at his career records, I can only say that the officer was a born soldier.

“This was evident in the various assignments he performed while in the service and also in the various courses and trainings that he passed through in the service where he always came out as number one. ”

Ogalla added that Gwaza died in the service, not only to the Nigerian Navy but in the service to humanity.

“Because the assignment which he was given that day was to go and rescue a merchant vessel that was in distress and was about to sink. I received that information distress call from the company that a vessel was about to sink with 59 crew members on board.

“Out of those 59 persons on board, we had 10 Navy personnel on board. These 59 crew members were in danger of being perished. Lieutenant Commander Gwaza was detailed with a team of other patriotic ratings and officers to go and rescue these people.

“Unfortunately, and in line with the operating environment where we operate, where you cannot predict the nature of tide perfectly, you can also not predict so many other factors that take place out there at sea. He had an accident and we lost him that day. It’s very sad,” he added.