Lieutenant Commander Gwaza, the officer who laid his life for 59 people

Emboldened by his conviction to discomfort himself to make others happy and put smiles on their faces, an ebullient, courageous, dedicated and illustrious naval officer, Gideon Gwaza, a lieutenant commander in the maritime force, in July 2024 laid down his life for 59 other persons to survive.

On the fateful day, as the late lieutenant commander was going for the rescue operation, where he met his untimely death, the dedicated officer never thought it would be a journey of no-return.

His wife, Mrs Salome, who prayed for him before he embarked on the journey when he called on the phone to tell her that he wanted to go and rescue an ill-fated vessel that was on the brink of sinking, did not also envisage that it would be a journey of no-return.

The vessel was said to be operating at the Okpobo Field, near the Okpobo River channel, in the lower section of Imo River, next to the estuary into the Atlantic Ocean, that connects Akwa Ibom and Rivers states – the area is known to be turbulent at this time of the year.

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Specifically, on that fateful night, when it was reported that the vessel, MV AMBIKA 4, a dredger with about 59 crew members onboard had gone aground and was about to sink off Opobo River, Gideon did not hesitate to respond.

Gideon, who was known for his deep compassion and unyielding dedication to those around him, believed that true leadership was not just about giving orders but about inspiring those under his command while ensuring their safety above all else.

This belief was tragically proven in his final act of service. Understanding the gravity of the situation, Gideon immediately volunteered and organised a rescue operation.

In the face of grave danger resulting from the inclement weather conditions, he led his men towards the distressed vessel, prioritising saving the men onboard above everything else, unfortunately, a strong wave hit his boat, causing it to tip and Gideon fell overboard where he met his death.

In the face of overwhelming odds, Gideon stood tall, and his actions on that day are a testament to his courage and selflessness; a true reflection of a man who had dedicated his life to the service of others.

His final moments were spent ensuring that the attempted rescue of every person on the distressed vessel was achieved, even as he faced troubling, heavy seas.

Gideon paid the ultimate price while attempting to secure the lives of those in peril. His sacrifice is the embodiment of the very values he had lived by; courage, duty and an unyielding commitment to humanity.

Who is Lieutenant Commander Gideon Gwaza?

Lieutenant Commander Gideon Yashim Gwaza was born into the family of  the late Master Warrant Officer Ishaku Duya Gwaza and Mrs Victoria Ishaku on November 23, 1985 in Chanchaga LGA of Niger State. He hails from Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State.

Late Gwaza attended Froebel’s International School, Islamabad, Pakistan before proceeding to the Nigerian Military School (NMS) Zaria for his secondary school education.

On completion of his secondary education from NMS, he was posted to the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji, Kaduna, where he briefly served before he gained admission to the Nigerian Defence Academy in pursuit of his military career.

In September 26, 2005, he was enlisted as a member of the 57 Regular Combatant Course at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics.

He was subsequently commissioned on September 26, 2010, into the Nigerian Navy as a sub-lieutenant, in the Executive (Seaman) Branch, where he later specialised in Navigation and Direction from the Indian Navy Ship (INS) VENDURUTHY, Kochi, India.

He also further obtained a Master of Science degree from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.

Thereafter, Late Gwaza served the Nigerian Navy in numerous capacities and held various appointments.

Breadwinner of the family gone too soon

It was not just Gideon’s professional attributes that set him apart, he was known for his deep compassion and his unyielding dedication to those around him, especially the family he left behind.

When Daily Trust visited the family members of the late 38-year-old naval officer, his diabetic, aged mother, Mrs Victoria Gwaza, was still in pain over the loss.

“I wish I was strong enough to carry another child, I would have asked God to give me back Gideon again. This is a child everybody would love to give birth to. I’ve never seen a wonderful soul like Gideon before.

“Even in his grave, I will continue to love him. He cared for all of us. Before he died, he came home before he left for Bonny. That had always been like that. If there were drugs to buy for me, he would buy them before he leaves. Now, who will buy the drugs?

“I just want to appeal again to the authorities to help me take care of his three boys he left behind, because my son was the only person our eyes were on. I believed that he would take us out of poverty but since it has come like this and left me, because I never planned for this, I can’t question God.

“I’m sad. I shed tears every day. Right now, I’m diabetic. The last time he came, he promised to take me to the best doctor that would take care of me. Now, who will take care of me and his children? I pray the government will help us. We need support,” the grieving mother said.

It is still like a dream to me that he’s no more – Wife

Gideon’s wife and the mother of three sons said she still feels like it is a dream that her husband is gone.

“GY, as I fondly called him, was a loving husband, an incredible father, a very good son to his mother and the best brother to his siblings. He was everything; he was a breadwinner in the family. He stood by everyone at every point, he was always supportive.

“Those who had cause to cross paths with him could attest to it that he was a selfless person. GY cared a lot about people, and I’m sure that was what pushed him to try to rescue those in distress at the point he did.

“He was a good father. It hadn’t been easy for the boys and me since his departure. Sometimes I even forget that he’s no more. Sometimes, I would just pick up my phone and feel like calling him, talking as usual because, in a day, we speak more than five times.

“Most times, I tried to distract them (boys) because when the boys come from school, the next thing would be ‘Mummy, can you please call daddy for us, let’s talk to him. It hasn’t been easy for everyone in the family including his mother and his siblings.

“We haven’t gotten ourselves together. Sometimes, I would just feel so moody but I do remind myself that my husband is with the Lord because he lived a very good and exemplary life. I want my children to grow and be like their father, just the way he made his mother proud when he was alive.”

A hero laid to rest

On August 28, the late Gwaza was given a befitting military burial at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, as a hero.

In his remarks before the interment, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, described the late Naval officer as a “born soldier and a man of impeccable character, adding that his death is a great loss to the Nigerian Navy and Nigeria as a whole.”

“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 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 training that he passed through in the service where he always came out as number one.

“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 a 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. 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.

On his part, the Commanding Officer, Bonny, Captain M. A. Mohammed, said Gwaza knew the operation was risky but braved the odds to rescue the victims, adding that apart from the operation that claimed his life, Gwaza had displayed courage in others.

“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.

“Throughout the five months of my time, there was not a single day I did not hear Gideon’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.”