The Nigerian Navy Ex Din Mingi exercise deploys helicopters, ships, and assault boats to protect the nation’s maritime assets and strengthen inter-agency collaboration
The Nigerian Navy Ex Din Mingi exercise was launched on Tuesday to showcase the Navy’s combat readiness in protecting national economic assets and ensuring maritime security across Nigerian waters.
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The annual exercise, conducted by the Eastern Naval Command, was flagged off by Rear Admiral Chiedozie Okehie at the Nigerian Navy Ship SHERE in Onne, Rivers State.
“Ex Din Mingi, meaning ‘safe waters’ in Ibani, represents the Navy’s four pillars of Professionalism, Operational Readiness, Welfare and Inter-Agency collaboration,” Okehie said.
Over the three-day exercise, the Navy deployed three helicopters, nine ships of various classes, multipurpose assault boats, and UAVs, with support from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, and other agencies.
The exercise, themed ‘Protecting Critical Infrastructure Through Inter-Agency Collaboration,’ includes the opposed boarding of a purportedly hijacked LNG vessel, highlighting the specialised skills required to secure energy transport without compromising vessel safety.
Officials from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency also participated, assisting in identifying psychoactive substances on suspected ships, underlining the multi-agency approach to maritime security.
Rear Admiral Okehie emphasised that the exercise assesses the operational readiness of the Eastern fleet while fostering inter-agency collaboration.
“In the Armed Forces, retraining is essential. This exercise ensures our personnel remain combat-ready to fulfil their duties,” he said.
The Officer in Tactical Command, Rear Admiral KO Oguntuga, urged participants to approach the exercise with professionalism, vigilance, and strict safety compliance, noting that every operation at sea is an opportunity to refine skills and strengthen teamwork.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has declared his mission to deploy a highly motivated and professional Naval Force capable of safeguarding Nigerian maritime interests while maintaining national stability.
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Previous exercises, including a 2024 deployment of seven ships and two helicopters, have strengthened the Navy’s search and rescue capabilities and enhanced cooperation with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
