The Nigerian Navy has welcomed the Federal High Court, Uyo’s conviction and sentencing of nine persons for crude oil theft, describing the judgement as a significant development in the sustained fight against economic sabotage.
This was contained in a statement by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director Naval Information, Nigerian Navy.
The nine convicts were sentenced by the Court on 14 September 2026 to five years’ imprisonment on Count One and 10 years’ imprisonment on Count Two, without the option of a fine.
According to the Navy, the suspects were arrested on 7 February 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.
“The conviction of the nine crude oil thieves is therefore not merely a judicial outcome but a clear demonstration of what can be achieved when operational action is matched by effective prosecution and judicial determination,” the statement said.
The development comes as the Nigerian Navy sustains intensified operations against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, its anti-crude oil theft operation.
Since its inception in January 2026, the operation has:
- Dismantled over 241 illegal refining sites
- Disrupted sophisticated criminal networks
- Recovered more than 6.44 million litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products
- Arrested over 230 suspects.
The Navy said these achievements underscore its unwavering resolve to deny economic saboteurs freedom to exploit the nation’s hydrocarbon resources, while protecting critical national infrastructure and reinforcing energy security.
It attributed the renewed momentum to the strategic leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, whose emphasis on intelligence-led operations, inter-agency collaboration and enhanced maritime domain awareness has strengthened the Service’s capacity.
The efforts, it added, directly support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day by 2027.
The Nigerian Navy reiterated that while successful interdictions at sea are essential, their strategic value is fully realised only when they culminate in timely convictions that reinforce rule of law and serve as deterrent.
The Service commended the Judiciary for the landmark judgment and appreciated the Department of State Services (DSS) for its professionalism in seeing the case through.
It advocated accelerated adjudication of all pending crude oil theft cases to further strengthen deterrence and consolidate protection of maritime resources.
The Navy warned all individuals, groups and organised criminal syndicates engaged in illicit activities to desist, noting that the conviction shows perpetrators cannot rely on remoteness of oil-producing communities and installations to evade justice.
It called on law-abiding citizens and host communities to continue providing credible information on criminal activities threatening oil and gas infrastructure, stressing that community cooperation is vital.
“Going forward, the Nigerian Navy will not waver in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain, protecting critical national oil and gas asset/infrastructure and supporting legitimate economic activity,” the statement concluded.