Esther Imonmion
The Nigerian Navy has deployed three helicopters, nine ships, and multipurpose assault boats for a special sea inspection aimed at showcasing its combat readiness and protecting the nation’s economic assets across its territorial waters.
The annual exercise, carried out by the Eastern Naval Command and code-named ‘Ex Din Mingi’—meaning ‘safe waters’ in the Ibani language of Rivers State—was flagged off on Tuesday, November 19, 2025, by the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chiedozie Okehie, at the Nigerian Navy Ship SHERE in Onne, Rivers State.
Rear Admiral Okehie said the exercise represents the Nigerian Navy’s four pillars of Professionalism, Operational Readiness, Welfare, and Inter-Agency Collaboration. The three-day drill, themed ‘Protecting Critical Infrastructure Through Inter-Agency Collaboration’, also features multipurpose assault facilities from the Nigerian Army, the Air Force, and the Navy.
“In all, nine ships of different classes, helicopters from both the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force, Epsilon EP55 UAVs, as well as multipurpose assault boats will be deployed for the exercise,” Okehie said. He highlighted a major operation: the opposed boarding of a purportedly hijacked Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) vessel, designed to neutralise threats without compromising vessel safety and integrity.
Officials from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) are also participating, assisting in identifying psychoactive substances on suspected vessels to strengthen inter-agency collaboration.
Okehie noted that the exercise aims to assess the operational readiness of the Eastern fleet, deny criminal elements freedom of action, and demonstrate a multi-dimensional security approach involving aerial and maritime assets.
Reflecting on previous operations, he said such exercises not only sharpen the force’s operational capabilities but also foster inter-agency cooperation. “In the Armed Forces, retraining is essential to perform our daily operations. This exercise ensures that our personnel are combat-ready,” he added.
He reaffirmed the mission of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to maintain a highly motivated and professional naval force capable of securing Nigeria’s maritime interests and contributing to national stability.
In his remarks, the Officer in Tactical Command, Rear Admiral KO Oguntuga, urged participating personnel to approach the exercise with professionalism, vigilance, and strict adherence to safety protocols. “Every operation at sea offers an opportunity to refine skills and strengthen teamwork,” he said.
The exercise runs for three days and will conclude on Thursday, November 21, 2025.