Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
The Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has sentenced nine persons arrested by the Nigerian Navy during an operation against crude oil theft to a combined prison term of 15 years, in a judgment the Navy described as a boost to the fight against economic sabotage.
In a statement signed by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director Naval Information, Nigerian Navy, on 16 September 2026, the convicts were sentenced on 14 September 2026 to five years’ imprisonment on Count One and 10 years on Count Two, without the option of a fine.
The suspects were arrested by the Nigerian Navy on 7 February 2026 during an intelligence-led operation at an oil wellhead identified as ASABO-D in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, where they were allegedly stealing crude oil.
Welcoming the judgment on Wednesday, the Nigerian Navy said the conviction demonstrated the importance of linking enforcement operations with effective prosecution and judicial action in the fight against crude oil theft.
The development comes as the Navy intensifies operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, its anti-crude oil theft operation launched in January 2026.
According to the Nigeria Navy, the operation has so far led to the dismantling of more than 241 illegal refining sites, the disruption of criminal networks, the recovery of more than 6.44 million litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products, and the arrest of more than 230 suspects.
It said the operations were aimed at restricting the activities of those exploiting Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources illegally, while protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure and supporting national energy security.
The Nigeria Navy attributed the renewed operational drive to the strategic leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, whose priorities include intelligence-led operations, inter-agency cooperation and improved maritime domain awareness.
The Navy said the efforts were also in line with the policy direction of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day by 2027.
It however, stressed that arrests and interdictions would have limited long-term impact if they did not lead to successful prosecution and conviction.
It therefore commended the Judiciary for the judgment and appreciated the Department of State Services for its role in ensuring the case reached a successful conclusion.
The Navy called for faster adjudication of pending crude oil theft cases, saying timely convictions would strengthen deterrence and reinforce accountability across the criminal justice system.
It also warned individuals and organised groups involved in crude oil theft and related activities that they could not rely on the remoteness of oil-producing communities, waterways or oil installations to evade justice.
The Navy appealed to residents and host communities to support the fight by providing credible information on activities that threaten oil and gas infrastructure.
It said the cooperation of host communities remained important to denying criminal groups the local support and freedom of movement needed to sustain crude oil theft and illegal bunkering.
The Navy further reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s maritime domain and critical oil and gas assets while sustaining collaboration with the Judiciary, sister Services, security agencies and other stakeholders.
About the Author
