The Nigerian Navy has moved to reassure citizens that the nation’s waterways will remain safe, secure, and fully protected, as travel activity associated with the Christmas season commences.
This confidence was on full display during a major sea operation under Exercise Di Mingi, a three-day maritime security drill whose name means “Safe Waters” in the Ibani language.
The exercise saw naval vessels cutting through the Atlantic off the Eastern Command as officers and operatives simulated real-time responses to threats that commonly plague the maritime domain including piracy.
Rear Admiral Kolawole Oguntuga, Fleet Commander of the Eastern Naval Command, while addressing journalists during the operation, projected firm confidence in the Navy’s readiness for the festive period.
“We are expecting tourists, families traveling for the season, and maritime operators. They will all use our waterways. I want to assure Nigerians that it will be safe,” he said.
“And for criminals, this is a warning. Desist from illegal activities or face the consequences.”
He said Exercise Din Mingi is not just a drill, but mirrors real-world threats and demonstrates the Navy’s capacity to respond.
Over the course of the exercise, multiple coordinated operations were carried out involving the Navy, the Army, the Air Force, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and other agencies.
One major highlight was an anti-narcotics interception triggered by intelligence that a vessel was ferrying psychoactive substances along Nigeria’s coastline.
Naval ships tracked the vessel 25 nautical miles offshore, where NDLEA operatives confirmed the presence of cocaine and other hard drugs. The vessel was immediately impounded.
In another scenario, the Navy responded to a simulated piracy attack after reports of a hijacked ship.
Air surveillance assets were deployed to assess the threat while Special Boat Service (SBS) commandos stormed the vessel, overpowered the pirates, and secured the crew before escorting the ship safely to harbour.
Rear Admiral Oguntuga praised what he called “seamless coordination” between agencies, highlighting the communication flow, accurate air support, and timely deployment of special forces as proof that Nigeria’s maritime security architecture is strengthening.
He said the exercise embodies the Command’s operational pillars: Professionalism, Readiness, Welfare, and Interagency Collaboration
Flagging off the operation aboard NNS SHERE, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Okehie, emphasised that the Navy is aligning fully with the Chief of Naval Staff’s mission of deploying a motivated, professional force capable of protecting Nigeria’s maritime interests.
“Each security agency has its strengths. Tackling maritime security challenges requires synergy,” he noted.
The Command maintained that safe maritime routes are essential to Nigeria’s economic stability particularly during peak travel periods and vowed to sustain surveillance patrols beyond the Christmas season.