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Nigerian Navy has commended the Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for the conviction and sentencing of nine persons for crude oil theft, describing the judgement as a significant development in the fight against economic sabotage.
The nine convicts were on September 14 sentenced by the court to five years’ imprisonment on Count One and 10 years’ imprisonment on Count Two, without the option of fine.
Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed the development in a statement issued yesterday.
Folorunsho said the convicts were arrested by the Nigerian Navy on February 7 during an intelligence-led operation under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
He said the suspects were arrested while allegedly stealing crude oil from an oil wellhead identified as ASABO-D in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Folorunsho said the conviction underscored the importance of effective collaboration between security agencies, prosecutors, and the judiciary in ensuring that arrests for economic crimes ultimately lead to justice.
Folorunsho stated, “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 development comes as the 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.
The service said since its inception in January 2026, the operation had leveraged intelligence-driven surveillance, precision interdictions, and sustained maritime dominance across the Niger Delta.
According to the navy, the operation has resulted in the dismantling of more than 241 illegal refining sites, disruption of criminal networks, recovery of more than 6.44 million litres of suspected stolen crude oil, and illegally refined petroleum products, and the arrest of over 230 suspects.
Folorunsho stated, “These operational achievements underscore the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering resolve to deny economic saboteurs the freedom to exploit the nation’s hydrocarbon resources, while protecting critical national infrastructure and reinforcing energy security.”
The navy attributed the renewed operational momentum to the strategic leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, whose priorities include intelligence-led operations, inter-agency collaboration and enhanced maritime domain awareness.
The service said its efforts were in support of the policy direction of President Bola Tinubu to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day by 2027, and contribute to economic development and sustainable growth in the oil and gas sector.
Nigerian Navy stressed that arrests and interdictions would have greater strategic value when they culminate in timely convictions capable of reinforcing the rule of law and deterring criminal networks.
“The Nigerian Navy reiterates that while successful interdictions at sea are essential, their strategic value is fully realised only when they culminate in timely convictions that reinforce the rule of law and serve as a strong deterrent to criminal networks,” the navy statement said.
The service commended the judiciary for the judgement and appreciated Department of State Services (DSS) for its role in seeing the case through to a successful conclusion.
It also advocated the accelerated adjudication of pending crude oil theft cases, saying this would strengthen deterrence, uphold accountability, and consolidate national efforts to protect Nigeria’s maritime resources.
“The fight against crude oil theft can achieve enduring success only through seamless collaboration across the entire criminal justice chain, from intelligence gathering and enforcement to prosecution and conviction,” the navy said.
It warned individuals, groups and organised criminal syndicates engaged in crude oil theft and other illicit activities to desist from such acts, stressing that perpetrators cannot rely on the remoteness of oil-producing communities, waterways or oil installations to evade justice.
It also called on law-abiding citizens and host communities to provide credible information on criminal activities threatening critical oil and gas infrastructure.
“Particularly, the cooperation of host communities is vital to denying criminal elements the local support and freedom of action required to sustain crude oil theft and related activities,” the statement added.
The navy reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain, protecting critical oil and gas assets and infrastructure, and supporting legitimate economic activity.
It said it would sustain operational pressure against economic saboteurs while strengthening collaboration with the judiciary, sister services, security agencies, and other stakeholders in furtherance of the national policy direction on increased oil production and the blue economy.