Nigerian-born US Marine Declared Déad After Falling from Warship Near Caribbean

A United States Marine of Nigerian descent, Lance Corporal Chukwuemeka E. Oforah, has been declared dead after a three-day search following his fall from the USS Iwo Jima in the Caribbean Sea, military authorities have confirmed.

Oforah, 21, a Florida resident, went overboard from the amphibious assault ship on February 7 while deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit as part of regional operations.

After 72 hours of continuous search efforts involving Navy, Marine, and Air Force assets, the mission was called off and Oforah was officially pronounced dead on February 10.

“We are all grieving alongside the Oforah family,” said Colonel Tom Trimble, commanding officer of the 22nd MEU (SOC). He described the loss as one “deeply felt across the entire Navy-Marine Corps team.”

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing.

Oforah served as an infantry rifleman with Battalion Landing Team 3/6. He enlisted in October 2023, completed training at Parris Island and Camp Lejeune, and subsequently deployed aboard the USS Iwo Jima.

In a separate, unrelated incident this week, the U.S. Navy reported that two vessels, the USS Truxtun and USNS Supply, collided during a replenishment-at-sea drill, resulting in minor injuries to two personnel. Both ships remain operational and are under investigation.