The Nigerian Navy has welcomed the conviction and sentencing of nine crude oil thieves by the Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, describing the judgment as a major boost to the fight against economic sabotage.
The convicts were sentenced on September 14, 2026, to five years’ imprisonment on one count and 10 years on another, without the option of a fine.
They were arrested on February 7, 2026, during an intelligence-led operation while allegedly stealing crude oil from the ASABO-D oil wellhead in Ibeno Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement issued by the Naval spokesperson, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Navy said the judgment demonstrated the importance of linking effective enforcement with successful prosecution and judicial action.
He said the conviction came as the Service intensified its campaign against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage under Operation Delta Sentinel.
According to him, since the operation began in January 2026, it has led to the destruction of more than 241 illegal refining sites, the disruption of criminal networks, the recovery of over 6.44 million litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products, and the arrest of more than 230 suspects across the Niger Delta.
Folorunsho said the achievements reflected the Navy’s determination to protect Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources, secure critical infrastructure and strengthen national energy security.
He attributed the renewed operational drive to the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, particularly his focus on intelligence-led operations, inter-agency cooperation and improved maritime surveillance.
The Navy noted that the efforts support the Federal Government’s target of raising crude oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day by 2027.
It also stressed that arrests and interdictions would have greater impact when followed by speedy prosecution and convictions capable of deterring criminal networks.
The Service commended the judiciary for the judgment and acknowledged the Department of State Services for its role in ensuring the case reached a successful conclusion.
The Navy further called for the accelerated hearing of pending crude oil theft cases, saying stronger cooperation among security agencies, prosecutors, the judiciary and host communities was essential to achieving lasting results.
It warned individuals and organised criminal groups involved in oil theft to abandon the practice, stressing that criminals could no longer depend on remote communities, waterways or oil installations to escape justice.
The Service urged members of the public and host communities to provide credible information on activities threatening Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure, assuring that it would sustain operations to protect the nation’s maritime domain and legitimate economic activities.
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