Combat Readiness Display: Nigerian Navy Deploys Nine Ships, Three Helicopters for Special Sea Inspection.

The Nigerian Navy has deployed a substantial force, including three helicopters, nine ships, and multipurpose assault boats, for a special sea inspection intended to showcase its combat readiness in protecting the nation’s economic assets across its territorial waters.

This annual exercise, according to the Navy, is also crucial for preparing personnel for the effective security of Nigeria’s maritime interests. Code-named ‘Ex Din Mingi’—meaning ‘safe waters’ in the Ibani language of Rivers State—the exercise is being executed by the Eastern Naval Command. Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chiedozie Okehie, flagged off the operation at the Nigerian Navy Ship SHERE in Onne, Rivers State, noting that the exercise embodies the Nigerian Navy’s four key pillars: Professionalism, Operational Readiness, Welfare, and Inter-Agency collaboration.

The three-day exercise, which commenced on Tuesday, operates under the theme: ‘Protecting Critical Infrastructure Through Inter-Agency Collaboration’, utilizing several multipurpose assault facilities drawn from the Nigerian Army, Air Force, and Navy. Rear Admiral Okehie detailed the extensive resources: “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 highlighted a crucial scenario: the opposed boarding of a purportedly hijacked LNG vessel. This evolution, he noted, demands specialized skills to neutralize threats without compromising the safety and integrity of vessels carrying Liquefied Natural Gas, reflecting the unique challenges of protecting critical maritime infrastructure.

To further foster collaboration, officials from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) will be onboard to assist in identifying psychoactive substances on a suspected vessel. Okehie clarified the operation’s overall goal: “The exercise is to assess operational readiness of Eastern fleet, display a multi-agency and multi-dimensional approach by deploying platforms, including air assets, to deny criminal elements freedom of action.”

Rear Admiral Okehie stated that past exercises have not only boosted the force’s ability to handle real maritime events but also strengthened inter-agency collaboration and harmonization.

He affirmed that this training is crucial for combat readiness, aligning with the mission of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, which is “to deploy a highly motivated and professional Naval Force, capable of securing Nigerian Maritime interests, and for the purpose of effective and diligent operations, to maintain national stability.”

The Officer in Tactical Command, Rear Admiral K.O. Oguntuga, concluded by urging all participating personnel to maintain professionalism, vigilance, and strict adherence to safety, noting that every sea operation is a chance to refine skills and strengthen teamwork.