The Federal Government has unveiled a new strategy to safeguard Nigeria’s critical gas infrastructure by combining military operations with community engagement and alternative dispute resolution, as authorities disclosed that coordinated security efforts have already reduced operational downtime on vulnerable gas transmission lines by as much as 90 per cent.

The strategy, unveiled during a high-level oil and gas security meeting in Port Harcourt attended by the Minister of Defence General Christopher Musa, top military commanders, security chiefs, executives of international and indigenous oil companies, traditional rulers and community leaders, marks a shift from reliance on kinetic security operations to a broader partnership-driven approach aimed at guaranteeing uninterrupted gas production.

Presenting the framework on behalf of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Special Adviser to the National Security Adviser on Niger Delta and Energy Security, Grace Ihuoma Osaretin, said the country’s energy security could only be sustained through coordinated action involving government, security agencies, operators and host communities.

“We are gathered today to review the operational realities of our critical gas transmission lines. This briefing focuses on our progress, our current operational bottlenecks and the strategic interventions required to strengthen production assurance,” she said.

According to Osaretin, closer collaboration between frontline military formations, the Working Committee on Gas and the deployment of non-kinetic security measures has significantly curtailed attacks on critical infrastructure.

“Honourable Minister, Sir, we are making significant progress in mitigating infrastructure sabotage through closer synergy with frontline commands, the Working Committee on Gas and the implementation of new non-kinetic security strategies. As a result, we have recorded an 80 to 90 per cent reduction in downtime along vulnerable segments, particularly the GTS 4 Line,” she disclosed.

The improvement, she noted, has enabled operators to sustain gas throughput across the Gas Transmission System (GTS), reducing production interruptions that have long undermined Nigeria’s energy output and revenue generation.

She attributed the gains to coordinated operations involving the Working Committee on Gas, the Joint Inter-Agency Response Framework, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), other security agencies and production teams of the oil companies.

“Thanks to improved pipeline availability, the Working Committee on Gas, the Joint Inter-Agency Response Framework, Operation Delta Safe, other relevant security agencies and the IOC production teams have been able to sustain throughput across the GTS network,” she said.

Osaretin, however, cautioned that despite the progress, vandalism and deliberate attacks on oil and gas infrastructure continue to impose heavy financial and operational burdens on operators.

“Companies continue to expend more resources than necessary due to persistent vandalism and infrastructure compromise,” she said, noting that repeated breaches of critical facilities continue to affect operational efficiency and investor confidence.

She said the Federal Government was therefore adopting a proactive framework that seeks to prevent disruptions before they occur rather than merely responding after attacks.

“Our objective today is to transition from reactive measures to a cohesive, proactive strategy. We are not merely holding a dialogue; we are establishing a fortified public-private partnership,” she stated.

According to her, the new approach is expected to strengthen joint operational capacity, improve intelligence sharing and streamline practical initiatives that will guarantee production assurance across Nigeria’s gas infrastructure.

Osaretin stressed that while government would continue to provide the security architecture necessary for oil and gas operations, long-term protection of critical national assets would depend largely on stronger relationships between operators and their host communities.

“We recognize that the Government cannot secure these assets in isolation,” she said.

“Under the security architecture led by the Honourable Minister of Defence, supported by the Armed Forces, Operation Delta Safe and other relevant security agencies, the Government remains committed to providing the security umbrella required for oil and gas companies to operate optimally.”

She urged operators to complement government efforts by engaging specialised firms with proven expertise in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and community engagement to address grievances before they escalate into conflicts capable of disrupting production.

“In return, we seek the unwavering collaboration of all operators in engaging specialized private companies with proven expertise in Alternative Dispute Resolution and community engagement to strengthen relationships with host communities and enhance the protection of critical national assets,” she said.

The Port Harcourt meeting also highlighted increasing collaboration among the Ministry of Defence, the Armed Forces, security agencies and the oil and gas industry in protecting strategic national assets amid growing concerns over threats to energy infrastructure.

Osaretin maintained that technology, policy reforms and security hardware alone would not guarantee lasting success without sustained cooperation among all stakeholders.

“Finally, hardware and policy represent only half the battle. Our ultimate success depends on our collective commitment to collaboration, coordination and decisive action,” she said.