The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, on Monday, 29 June 2026, met with key stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry at the Headquarters of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
This was contained in a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Umar Adam Acting Deputy Director 6 Division made available to newsmen.
It said the high level engagement focused on charting a new course towards enhancing the nation’s oil production capacity, strengthening security around critical national assets, and fostering closer collaboration between security agencies and industry operators to drive economic growth and improve 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 critical 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. He therefore called for greater information sharing, mutual trust, and collective commitment to safeguarding oil infrastructure and eliminating all forms of economic sabotage.
Also speaking at the meeting, Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, Commander, Joint Task Force (South-South) Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS), reaffirmed that troops under OPDS would continue to operate 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.
Similarly, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, OPDS, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, assured stakeholders of the military’s unwavering commitment to providing a secure environment for legitimate oil exploration and production activities. He further urged stakeholders 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 parties.
The meeting also provided stakeholders in the oil and gas industry with the opportunity to highlight operational challenges affecting production and to seek stronger cooperation with security agencies. They expressed optimism that the renewed partnership would significantly improve operational efficiency, enhance 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 resolve 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 the overall prosperity of the nation.
