The Nigerian Navy has welcomed the conviction of nine crude oil thieves by the Federal High Court in Uyo, describing the judgment as a major boost to the fight against economic sabotage and a warning to criminal networks operating in Nigeria’s oil-producing communities.
The nine 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 the ASABO-D oil wellhead in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
According to the Navy in a statement by the Director Naval Information Nigerian Navy,
Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the conviction demonstrates the importance of linking enforcement operations with effective prosecution and judicial action in tackling crude oil theft.
The development comes amid intensified operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, the Navy’s anti-crude oil theft campaign launched in January 2026.
The operation has, according to the statement, led to the dismantling 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.
The Navy says the operations are aimed at protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure, strengthening energy security and denying criminal groups access to the nation’s hydrocarbon resources.
It attributed the renewed operational drive to the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, particularly his emphasis on intelligence-led operations, inter-agency collaboration and improved maritime domain awareness.
The Navy also linked its efforts to the Federal Government’s target of raising crude oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day by 2027.
While commending the Judiciary for the judgment, the Navy also appreciated the Department of State Services for its role in seeing the case through to conviction.
It called for the accelerated adjudication of pending crude oil theft cases, arguing that timely convictions would strengthen deterrence and ensure that successful arrests and interdictions translate into lasting disruption of criminal networks.
The Navy further urged individuals and communities to provide credible information on activities threatening oil and gas infrastructure, stressing that the cooperation of host communities remains critical to denying criminals the local support needed to sustain crude oil theft.
It equally warned perpetrators that waterways, remote oil-producing communities and oil installations would not provide a safe haven from prosecution.
However, the Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations against crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage, while deepening collaboration with the Judiciary, sister security services and other stakeholders.