Piracy, Armed Robbery Have Declined in Niger Delta, Defence Minister Says

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening security across the Niger Delta, saying improved safety in the region is already contributing to increased crude oil production.

Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, made this known after a closed-door meeting with key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector at the 6 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The meeting brought together senior military officers, regulators, international and indigenous oil companies, as well as representatives of host communities to review the security situation in the oil-producing region and identify measures to further boost production.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Musa said security conditions in the Niger Delta have improved considerably, particularly in the areas of piracy and armed robbery.

"It's been good. It could be better, but the members of the Armed Forces are working tirelessly to ensure that the area is secured.

"Issues of piracy, armed robbery and all these have really gone down. Production has improved. We are far above our oil contract production, and we are aiming very, very high," he said.

The minister explained that host communities were deliberately included in the engagement to ensure that their concerns and perspectives are reflected in the government's plans to improve security and enhance oil production.

According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to ensuring that oil-producing communities are secure and adequately supported to create an enabling environment for increased economic activity.

"We even invited the communities so that we can hear from their own aspect what the challenges are. The President is really determined to ensure that the oil-producing areas are well secured and the oil communities are happy and well taken care of, so that we can have more production," Musa said.

He noted that one of the key issues raised during the meeting was the need to strengthen trust and cooperation between host communities and oil companies.

Musa said the Armed Forces would continue to deepen civil-military relations and stakeholder engagement to bridge existing gaps and sustain peace in the region.

The defence minister also addressed Nigeria's wider security challenges, describing terrorism and banditry as issues that require the active support of citizens.

He urged Nigerians to provide timely and credible intelligence to security agencies, stressing that criminals often rely on support from within local communities.

"This is a Nigerian challenge. Terrorism is now a worldwide affair and we need everybody to be on board. The terrorists and bandits live within the communities. If the people don't provide information and continue to support them with logistics, it creates this atmosphere of insecurity," he said.

Musa expressed optimism that ongoing security operations would continue to deliver positive results through stronger collaboration between security agencies and the public.

The meeting was the first stakeholder engagement convened by the defence minister since assuming office and was held on the directive of President Tinubu to review security in the Niger Delta and chart a path toward higher crude oil production.

Also speaking after the meeting, Asari Dokubo, Paramount Ruler of Elem Kalabari, described the engagement as encouraging and commended the Federal Government's renewed approach to securing the oil-producing region.

According to him, sustained commitment from government and stakeholders would improve security, reduce disruptions to oil production and increase national revenue.

Nigeria currently produces about 1.5 million barrels of crude oil per day, with the Federal Government targeting an increase to 2.5 million barrels daily through enhanced security, stronger collaboration with host communities and improved protection of critical oil infrastructure.