The Nigerian Navy has launched its annual sea inspection exercise aimed at strengthening the security of Nigeria’s maritime domain and enhancing the operational preparedness of its personnel.
The exercise, conducted by the Eastern Naval Command and codenamed Exercise DIN MINGI—which means Safe Waters in the Ibani language—was flagged off by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Rear Admiral Chiedozie Donald Okehie, aboard Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SHERE at the Navy Jetty, Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT), Onne, in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Rear Admiral Okehie noted that the exercise aligns with the Command’s four key pillars—Professionalism, Operational Readiness, Welfare, and Inter-Agency Collaboration—and underscores the theme: “Protecting Critical Infrastructure Through Inter-Agency Collaboration.”
The two-day operation, which commenced immediately after the flag-off on Tuesday, will run until Wednesday, November 19.
No fewer than nine ships of varying classes, three helicopters, and several multipurpose assault boats drawn from the Nigerian Navy, Army, and Air Force have been deployed for the exercise. Also participating is the Epsilon EP55 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), alongside specialized maritime units.
Rear Admiral Okehie said the deployment demonstrates the Navy’s combat readiness to defend Nigeria’s economic assets and sustain dominance within the nation’s territorial waters.
He highlighted that one of the critical components of the exercise is an opposed boarding simulation involving a purportedly hijacked Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) vessel—an operation that demands high precision to neutralize threats without compromising the vessel’s safety.
Additionally, officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) are part of the operation, providing expertise in identifying psychoactive substances on suspected vessels, further strengthening inter-agency cooperation.
According to the FOC, the sea inspection exercise serves to assess the Eastern Naval Command’s operational readiness, enhance coordination across multiple agencies, and deny criminal elements freedom of action in the maritime environment.
He emphasized the importance of continuous retraining, stating:
“In the Armed Forces, retraining is essential for daily operations. This exercise forms part of our training objectives to ensure that our personnel remain combat-ready and capable of executing their duties effectively.”
Rear Admiral Okehie reaffirmed the commitment of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), whose mission is to deploy a professional and highly motivated naval force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and contributing to national stability.
The Eastern Naval Command noted that it has recorded several successes in recent months, including the arrest of vessels engaged in economic sabotage and other maritime crimes. The Command expressed its commitment to improving operational outcomes under Rear Admiral Okehie’s leadership.
“It will also assist in enforcing laws within the territorial waters as part of the Nigerian Navy’s Coast Guard roles, in addition to its military and diplomatic responsibilities,” the statement added.
Rear Admiral Okehie assured that all participating units would conduct themselves with utmost professionalism and adhere strictly to Rules of Engagement (ROE) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) throughout the exercise.
The 2025 edition of Exercise DIN MINGI is expected to further strengthen Nigeria’s maritime security architecture and reinforce collaboration among security and regulatory agencies operating in the nation’s waters.
