Eastern Naval Command Flags Off 'Exercise DIN MINGI' with 9 Ships, Helicopters

The Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of the Nigerian Navy has flagged off a major fleet exercise, "Exercise DIN MINGI," aimed at assessing the operational readiness of the Eastern Fleet and strengthening inter-agency collaboration in maritime security. 

The ceremony was held onboard Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SHERE on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.

Exercise DIN MINGI, which means "Safe Waters" in the Ibani dialect of Rivers State, is themed “Protecting Critical Infrastructure Through Inter-Agency Collaboration.”

Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chiedozie Okehie, announced a massive deployment of maritime and air assets for the operation:

Nine Nigerian Navy Ships: Including NNS SHERE, NNS OJI, NNS EKULU, NNS ZUR, NNS BURUTU, NNS GONGOLA, NNS BADAGRY, NNS OSE, and NNS SHIRORO.

Air Assets: Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force helicopters, as well as Epsilon EP55 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

Special Forces Assets: Multipurpose assault boats from both the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy.

The FOC explained that the exercise, covering the ENC’s Area of Responsibility, will rigorously test the Fleet’s logistical endurance, tactical response capabilities, and command-and-control systems in a simulated multi-threat environment.

The exercise scenarios are tailored to address the prevailing maritime security challenges in the region, featuring a range of drills including: Anti-piracy and anti-hijacking operations; Anti-drug trafficking missions; 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, improve inter-agency coordination, and enhance the collective capacity to combat maritime crime.

The Officer in Tactical Command, Rear Admiral KO Oguntuga, urged all participating personnel to maintain the highest levels of professionalism, vigilance, and strict adherence to safety protocols.

The flag-off was attended by key security stakeholders and dignitaries, underscoring the collaboration required for maritime safety, including the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General EE Emekah; the Nigerian Police Force; Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); and Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG).