Criminal activities have reduced in Niger-Delta – Defense Minister Musa

Minister of Defense, General Christopher Musa, rtd, says armed robbery, piracy and other criminal activities have reduced in the Niger-Delta region of the country.

Musa spoke on Tuesday after a closed-door meeting with key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector at the 6 Division Headquarters, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt Barracks, Rivers State.

Addressing newsmen after the meeting, the minister said the engagement was a continuation of previous consultations aimed at assessing progress and identifying solutions to challenges confronting the oil industry.

“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 added.

According to him, the host communities were invited to the meeting to ensure their concerns were reflected in the government’s plans for improving security and increasing production.

The former Chief of Defense Staff further said that one of the major issues raised during the meeting was the need to strengthen trust between host communities and oil operators.