The Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral CD Okehie, on Tuesday 18 November 2025, flagged off Exercise DIN MINGI. The ceremony was held onboard Nigerian Navy Ship SHERE.
Exercise DIN MINGI, which means “Safe Waters” in the Ibani dialect of Rivers State, is themed “Protecting Critical Infrastructure Through Inter-Agency Collaboration.” The sea exercise is aimed at assessing the operational readiness of the Eastern Fleet and strengthening synergy among maritime security agencies.
The Exercise will feature the deployment of nine Nigerian Navy ships, including NNS SHERE, NNS OJI, NNS EKULU, NNS ZUR, NNS BURUTU, NNS GONGOLA, NNS BADAGRY, NNS OSE and NNS SHIRORO. Additional assets include Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force helicopters, Epsilon EP55 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and multipurpose assault boats from both the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy.
The operations will cover the 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. The Exercise is also expected to deepen collaboration with maritime partners and security agencies, while reinforcing the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to safeguarding mariners and ensuring safe and secure waterways for economic activities.
The Exercise will feature a range of scenarios including 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.
Speaking at the event, the Special Guest of Honour and Flag Officer Commanding Easten Naval Command Rear Admiral Okehie, expressed confidence that the Exercise will sharpen operational readiness, improve inter-agency coordination, and enhance collective capacity to combat maritime crime. He noted that the initiative reflects a shared determination to maintain safe and secure waters.
The Officer in Tactical Command, Rear Admiral KO Oguntuga, in his remarks urged participating personnel to approach the Exercise with professionalism, vigilance, and strict adherence to safety, noting that every operation at sea offers an opportunity to refine skills and strengthen teamwork.
The ceremony was attended by senior military officers and key dignitaries including the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General EE Emekah; the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral EA Zipelle; Group Captain AA Okpaleye Commander 115 special operation Command, Commanders, Commandants and Commanding Officers of Units, Ships and Establisments, The Nigerian Police force, Nigerian security and civil defence corp, National Drug Law enforment agency, Nigerian Liquefied Natural gas amongst others
The event concluded with the official flag-off, a group photograph, and a press briefing by the FOC Eastern Naval Command.