Eastern Naval Command Flags Off Exercise “DIN MINGI”, Finetunes Operational Readiness

The Nigerian Navy has launched Exercise “DIN MINGI” in furtherance of its stated commitment to safeguarding critical national infrastructure, especially, within Nigeria’s maritime territorial space.

Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie flagged off the Exercise on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 during a ceremony held onboard Nigerian Navy Ship SHERE.

The word DIN MINGI means “Safe Waters” in Ibani (Bonny/Opobo) dialect and the theme of the Exercise is “Protecting Critical Infrastructure Through Inter-Agency Collaboration.”

According to the Navy, the sea exercise is designed to assess the operational readiness of the Eastern Fleet while strengthening synergy among maritime security agencies.

It features the deployment of nine Nigerian Navy ships, helicopters from the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, Epsilon EP55 UAVs, and multipurpose assault boats from both the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy.

The operations to be conducted during the Exercise will be within Eastern Naval Command’s Area of Responsibility and will test the Fleet’s logistical endurance, tactical response capabilities, and command-and-control systems in a simulated multi-threat environment.

Participating units will undertake anti-piracy and anti-hijacking drills, anti-drug trafficking operations, anti-oil theft and illegal bunkering missions, fleet manoeuvres, and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations.

Rear Admiral Okehie expressed confidence that the Exercise will sharpen operational readiness, enhance inter-agency coordination, and reinforce the collective determination to maintain safe and secure waterways essential for economic activities.

On his part, the Officer-in-Charge of Tactical Naval Command, Rear Admiral Kolawole Oguntuga, urged personnel to remain professional, vigilant, and safety-conscious, noting that every sea operation presents an opportunity to refine skills and strengthen teamwork.

In attendance at the ceremony were senior military officers and dignitaries, including the General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah; Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Admiral Ebiobowei Zipele; Commander 115 Special Operations Group, Group Captain Abdulafeez Opaleye; and Area Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), John David.

Others were representatives from the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), amongst others.