Six Dead, Three Missing: The Untold Story Behind the Navy Boat Tragedy in Delta

A Nigerian Navy gunboat capsized on Thursday night of July 3, 2025, in Delta State, killing six people and leaving three others missing.

According to reports, the gunboat carried 15 people nine naval personnel and six civilians when it overturned near Escravos in Warri South West LGA.

Naval officers were heading from Forward Operating Base Escravos to hotel lodgings in Arunton Community when the boat capsized.

The accident occurred around 7:45 PM, near Chevron Nigeria Limited’s base along the Escravos waterways.

A naval commander, two corps members, two other officers, and a civilian boat driver died in the incident.

The missing include two naval personnel and a female corps member posted to NNS Delta, Warri Naval Base.

Search and rescue teams quickly launched a recovery mission and rescued 11 people from the sinking boat.

Chevron’s clinic in Escravos received the survivors, but six were confirmed dead on arrival by medical officers.

The confirmed dead include three naval officers and three civilians, including youth corps members.

Chevron medical staff continue to treat six surviving victims from the accident.

LeadershipNg obtained a confidential Navy memo detailing the boat’s manifest and location of the capsizing.

The Navy titled the internal report: “FOB Escravos Special Sitrep As At 032330 Jul. 25.”

The report stated the boat capsized at Latitude 05° 36.408’N and Longitude 005° 11.982’E near the Chevron facility.

The gunboat was heading to accommodation facilities before it sank in the river.

Naval authorities confirmed that the search for the three missing persons remains ongoing.

Officials have not yet released the names of the dead, pending contact with their families.

The Navy has not issued a public statement, but internal sources say top commanders are monitoring the situation.

Authorities have opened an investigation to determine the cause of the capsizing.

This tragedy marks one of the worst non-combat naval accidents in recent years in Nigeria.

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