The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has called for stronger collaboration between security agencies and stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry to enhance crude oil production, protect critical national assets and drive economic growth.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Umar Adam, the Defence Minister made the call during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held on Monday, June 29, 2026, at the Headquarters of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement disclosed that the meeting focused on developing strategies to improve Nigeria’s oil production capacity, strengthen security around critical oil infrastructure and foster closer cooperation between security agencies and industry operators to enhance the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Addressing participants, General Musa underscored the strategic importance of the oil and gas sector to Nigeria’s economy, stressing that increased crude oil production remains essential to national development. He noted that achieving the Federal Government’s production targets would require sustained synergy among the Armed Forces, other security agencies, regulatory institutions and industry stakeholders.
The Defence Minister called for greater information sharing, mutual trust and collective commitment to protecting oil infrastructure and eliminating all forms of economic sabotage.
The statement further disclosed that the Commander, Joint Task Force (South-South), Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS), Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, reaffirmed that troops under the operation would continue to conduct their duties professionally and in strict compliance with the Rules of Engagement while sustaining aggressive operations against crude oil thieves, pipeline vandals and other criminal elements threatening the nation’s economic assets.
Also speaking, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Operation DELTA SAFE, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, assured stakeholders of the military’s unwavering commitment to providing a secure environment for legitimate oil exploration and production activities.
Major General Emekah urged industry operators to adhere strictly to the provisions of their Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with host communities, noting that doing so would strengthen mutual trust, promote peaceful coexistence and enhance collaboration among all stakeholders.
The meeting also provided participants from the oil and gas industry with an opportunity to highlight operational challenges affecting production and seek stronger cooperation with security agencies. They expressed optimism that the renewed partnership would improve operational efficiency, strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure and create an enabling environment for increased investment and sustainable production across the Niger Delta.
The engagement concluded with a shared commitment to deepen collaboration through regular consultations, intelligence sharing and coordinated security measures aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s oil and gas assets.
Participants expressed confidence that the strengthened partnership between the defence establishment and industry stakeholders would not only enhance national oil production but also contribute significantly to economic stability, increased government revenue and overall national prosperity.
