Three helicopters, nine ships deployed as Navy kick off major security exercise

The Nigerian Navy said three helicopters; nine ships and multipurpose assault boats were deployed for a special sea inspection to showcase its combat readiness in safeguarding the nation’s economic assets across the territorial waters.

The Navy said the annual exercise will also prepare its officers and men for the effective security of the country’s maritime interests.

The exercise being carried out by the Eastern Naval Command, code-named ‘Ex Din Mingi’ meaning ‘safe waters’ in Ibani language (in Rivers State), was flagged off by the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chiedozie Okehie at the Nigerian Navy Ship SHERE in Onne, Rivers State.

Speaking, Okehie noted that ‘Ex Din Mingi’ Ex DIN MINGI’ represents the Nigerian Navy’s four pillars of Professionalism, Operational Readiness, Welfare and Inter-Agency collaboration.

The three-day exercise, which began on Tuesday with the theme ‘Protecting Critical Infrastructure Through Inter-Agency Collaboration’, also employs several multipurpose assault facilities from the Nigerian Army, the Air Force and the Navy.

Okehie stated, “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.

“Of particular note is the opposed boarding of a purportedly hijacked LNG vessel, an evolution that takes cognisance of the unique nature of vessels conveying Liquefied Natural Gas and specialised skills required to neutralise threats without compromising vessel safety and integrity.

“In addition, some officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency will embark to assist in identifying psychoactive substances on a suspected ship as part of efforts to foster collaboration.”

He continued, “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.”

On the impact of previous exercises, Rear Admiral Okehie said, apart from enhancing the force capabilities to face real events in the maritime space, it fosters inter-agency collaboration and harmonisation.

“In the Armed Forces, we need retraining to perform our daily operations. So the exercise is part of our training objectives to ensure that the men are combat-ready to take on their duties.

“The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has clearly declared his mission as 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.”

In his remarks, the Officer in Tactical Command, Rear Admiral KO Oguntuga, urged participating personnel to approach the Exercise with professionalism, vigilance, and strict adherence to safety.

Oguntuga noted that every operation at sea offers an opportunity to refine skills and strengthen teamwork.