By Saminu Ibrahim
The Nigerian Navy has welcomed the conviction and sentencing of nine persons by the Federal High Court, Uyo, for crude oil theft, 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 Count One and 10 years on Count Two, without the option of a fine.
The suspects were arrested by the Nigerian Navy on February 7, 2026, during an intelligence-led operation while allegedly stealing crude oil from an oil wellhead identified as ASABO-D in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
In a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Navy said the conviction demonstrated the importance of linking effective enforcement with prosecution and judicial determination.
The Service said the development came amid intensified operations against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, its anti-crude oil theft campaign.
According to the Navy, since the operation began in January 2026, it has dismantled more than 241 illegal refining sites, disrupted criminal networks, recovered over 6.44 million litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products, and arrested more than 230 suspects.
The Navy attributed the renewed operational momentum to the strategic leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, particularly his emphasis on intelligence-led operations, inter-agency collaboration and enhanced maritime domain awareness.
It said the efforts were in support of the Federal Government’s policy to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day by 2027.
The Navy stressed that successful arrests and interdictions would have greater impact when they resulted in timely convictions capable of deterring criminal networks.
It therefore commended the judiciary for the judgment and the Department of State Services for its role in ensuring the successful prosecution of the case.
The Service also called for the accelerated adjudication of pending crude oil theft cases, saying this would strengthen deterrence and accountability in the fight against oil theft.
The Navy warned individuals and organised criminal groups involved in crude oil theft to desist from the illegal activities, stressing that perpetrators could no longer rely on remote oil-producing communities, waterways or oil installations to evade justice.
It also urged host communities and other law-abiding citizens to provide credible information on criminal activities threatening oil and gas infrastructure.
Additionally, the Navy pledged to sustain operations against economic saboteurs while strengthening collaboration with the judiciary, sister security services and other stakeholders to protect Nigeria’s maritime domain and critical oil and gas assets.
