U.S. Navy shares extra insights about deceased officer who renounced Nigerian citizenship

The USA Navy has shared with PREMIUM TIMES recent insights in regards to the service of its just lately deceased officer, Oriola Michael Aregbesola, who renounced his Nigerian citizenship after his enlistment in 2020.

The USA Division of Defence had introduced Mr Aregbesola’s loss of life two days after he slipped from a ship within the Crimson Sea.

Aged 34, the deceased died on 20 March “because of a non-combat associated incident.”

His loss of life, in response to the division, is being investigated.

Earlier than his loss of life, the deceased was one of many sailors supporting operations within the Crimson Sea, the division revealed in an announcement three days after his loss of life.

“Aregbesola was assigned to USS Mason deployed to the U.S. fifth Fleet space of operations, as a part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Service Strike Group,” the division said.

“Petty Officer Aregbesola absolutely embodied the selfless character and considerate warrior spirit of america Navy Sailor,” stated Eric Kohut, a commodore and HSM-74 commanding officer. “His excellent efficiency previous to and through deployment went effectively past plane upkeep; he actually noticed and valued each member of the ship/air staff. He’ll proceed on within the coronary heart of each Swamp Fox and our brothers and sisters within the IKE Service Strike Group. Our deepest ideas and prayers are along with his household.”

For the reason that Israel-Palenstine warfare began final yr, assaults on business and navy ships have elevated within the Crimson Sea the place Mr Aregbesola was serving earlier than his loss of life.

The assaults, in response to information reviews, had been being orchestrated by the Houthi rebels from Yemen.

Also referred to as Ansar Allah (supporters of God), the armed group claimed to be primarily focusing on ships belonging to Israel and the U.S. , however their indiscriminate assaults have taken a toll on international meals provide, in response to analysts.

What U.S. Navy informed us

PREMIUM TIMES mailed the U.S. Navy every week after Mr Aregbesola’s loss of life was introduced, enquiring additional particulars about him.

However the power responded simply with very transient particulars, reiterating the incident was being investigated.

“The incident is presently beneath investigation and as a matter of coverage, the Navy doesn’t focus on ongoing investigations,” Andrew Bertucci of Navy Workplace of Info wrote in response to our mail, yesterday.

Mr Bertucci said that “the one info we are able to share in regards to the Sailor is the hooked up releasable bio and our press launch (launched earlier on 23 March).”

In line with the bio obtained from the U.S. Navy, Mr Aregbesola, primarily based in Florida, joined the power on 22 July 2020 along with his obligation put up described as ‘Scholar, Recruit Coaching Command, Nice Lakes, IL.’

Two months after, on 22 September 2020, he was dispatched to ‘Scholar, Naval Aviation Technical Coaching, Pensacola, FL’ from the place he was moved to ‘Scholar, Naval Aviation Technical Coaching, Jacksonville, FL’ and lastly to ‘Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74, Jacksonville, FL’ on 26 December 2020.

The deceased, earlier than his loss of life, bagged two awards specifically: Navy Unit Commendation and Navy “E” Ribbon.

When did he depart Nigeria?

Though we couldn’t communicate with any of deceased family members because the U.S. Navy refused to offer one, a social evaluation of Mr Aregbesola’s social media accounts (Instagram and X) means that he left the nation in 2017.

Additional overview means that he obtained married in Florida in 2017 and had a boy youngster along with his spouse in 2019.

“Members of the Miramar Police Division and Vice Mayor Davis, paid their respects and supplied companies to the household of Oriola Michael Aregbesola, U.S. Navy. He just lately handed away whereas serving our nation,” the police division posted on Fb seven days after his loss of life.

“He leaves behind a spouse, son, and group that loves him dearly. The household was gifted with $500 in groceries, $950 in reward playing cards, toys for the son, and flowers. Particular due to everybody that donated and helped to make this occur, Police Personnel, Metropolis Officers, household and group members,” the assertion added.

Renouncing Nigerian Nigerian citizenship

Three months after Mr Aregbesola was enlisted into the Navy, he took to X (previously Twitter) to resign the citizenship of his start nation the place he claimed to be jobless for years.

“I used to be jobless for therefore a few years, my nation of start (Nigeria, now renounced) failed me, however the U.S. NAVY noticed potentials in me and made me a fantastic ass sailor, engaged on jet engines,” he posted on 10 October, 2020, two days after #EndSARS protests started in main Nigerian cities.

The put up drew as a lot congratulatory remarks as rebukes. Mr Aregbesola was criticised for renouncing his residence nation.

“You ‘renounced’ Nigeria, so transfer on along with your life. We Nigerians are happy with our nation and our heritage. We are going to by no means commerce it,” an X person @TheShehus wrote.

“Whereas congratulating you on turning into a U.S. Navy, renouncing your nation and native land will not be the best way to go,” one other person, Okajone suggested Mr Aregbesola.

However Mr Aregbesola responded that he needed to resign his nation as per “the kind of job I do for the navy.”

Muhammed Zak, one other X person, chided Mr Aregbesola, saying he renouncing Nigeria was a “signal of poverty of the thoughts.

“Boasting about renouncing ur nation of start is simply an indication of poverty of the thoughts. Even some Individuals are jobless within the US. So, I see no level in attempting to make it an unique reserve of Nigeria however yea…Congratulations. Comfortable Renunciation,” Mr Zak posted.

Different feedback in help and towards Mr Aregbesola could possibly be seen right here.