The Nigerian Navy has deployed three helicopters, nine ships, an Epsilon EP55 UAV, and several multipurpose assault boats for a special sea inspection exercise aimed at boosting its combat readiness and safeguarding the nation’s maritime economic assets.

The annual operation, conducted by the Eastern Naval Command, is code-named ‘Ex Din Mingi’, meaning safe waters in the Ibani language of Rivers State.

Naijaonpoint understands that the exercise was officially flagged off on Tuesday by the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chiedozie Okehie, at the Nigerian Navy Ship SHERE in Onne, Rivers State.

Speaking at the ceremony, Okehie said ‘Ex Din Mingi’ represents the Navy’s four pillars of Professionalism, Operational Readiness, Welfare, and Inter-Agency Collaboration.

He explained that the three-day operation, themed “Protecting Critical Infrastructure Through Inter-Agency Collaboration,” involves joint participation from the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force.

“In all, nine ships of different classes, helicopters both from the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force, Epsilon EP55 UAV, as well as multipurpose assault boats from the NA and NN will be deployed for the Exercise,” he said.

Okehie highlighted a key component of the drill: the opposed boarding of a hijacked LNG vessel, a simulation designed to test the Navy’s ability to neutralise threats without compromising the safety of highly volatile cargo.

“This evolution takes cognisance of the unique nature of vessels conveying Liquefied Natural Gas and the specialised skills required to neutralise threats without compromising vessel safety,” he said.

He added that officers from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) were also on board to help identify psychoactive substances on suspected ships, strengthening inter-agency cooperation.

The FOC said the exercise is structured to test the operational readiness of the Eastern Fleet and demonstrate a multidimensional security approach aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action within Nigerian waters.

“The exercise is to assess operational readiness of the Eastern fleet, display a multi-agency and multi-dimensional approach by deploying platforms, including air assets, to deny criminal elements freedom of action,” he said.

Rear Admiral Okehie noted that previous editions of the drill had boosted the Navy’s capacity to counter real-time maritime threats and improved coordination with other security agencies.

“In the Armed Forces, we need retraining to perform our daily operations. So the exercise is part of our training objectives to ensure that the men are combat-ready to take on their duties,” he said.

He said the exercise aligns with the mission of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to deploy a motivated and professional force capable of securing Nigeria’s maritime interests.

The Officer in Tactical Command, Rear Admiral K. O. Oguntuga, advised participating personnel to approach the operations with vigilance and strict adherence to safety protocols.

He noted that every sea operation presents an opportunity to refine skills and reinforce teamwork essential for maritime security.

It could be recalled that in 2024, the Navy deployed seven ships and two helicopters for maritime search-and-rescue operations, alongside support vessels from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency. The latest deployment adds to the Nigerian Navy’s ongoing efforts to secure Nigeria’s maritime domain.

You may also like