The Army said the deceased, whose identity has not been revealed, was among the soldiers deployed on duty in the Niger Delta waterways to safeguard critical national assets.
The acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Maj. Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Maj. Danjuma said the gunboat conveying the late soldier was hit by a turbulent wave, which led to the unfortunate accident on Saturday, November 25, 2023.
He further said that following the incident, he was declared missing, upon which a search and rescue mission was launched, which led to the recovery of his lifeless body and the boat.
The statement is titled ‘Headquarters 6 Division mourns Soldier killed in boat mishap during operation’.
It read, “The Headquarters 6 Division, Nigerian Army, mourns a soldier killed during an unfortunate boat mishap that occurred at Bolo waterways in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday, November 25, 2023, while on active duty.
“The soldier was one of the soldiers deployed on duty in the waterways in the Niger Delta region to safeguard critical national assets.
“The gunboat conveying the late soldier was hit by a turbulent wave, which led to the unfortunate accident.
“The soldier was declared missing after the boat accident.
“Consequently, a search and rescue mission was launched, and his lifeless body was recovered. Additionally, the boat involved in the accident has also been recovered.
“The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, NA/Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe, Maj. Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, while commiserating with the deceased family, expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident.”
According to the statement, Maj. Gen. Jamal Abdussalam further said the late soldier paid the supreme sacrifice in the defence of fatherland land and service to humanity.
“He would be greatly missed by the NA and the nation at large,” he added, and he prayed for the repose of his soul and for God to grant him eternal rest.
