Navy Hails Uyo Court’s Conviction of Nine Crude Oil Thieves

The Nigerian Navy has commended the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for convicting and sentencing nine persons arrested for crude oil theft under its Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

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 an oil wellhead identified as ASABO-D in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

In a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Navy described the judgement as a significant development in the fight against crude oil theft and economic sabotage.

The Service said the conviction demonstrated the importance of linking operational enforcement with effective prosecution and judicial determination.

According to the Navy, Operation DELTA SENTINEL, launched in January 2026 to combat crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, 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 led to the arrest of more than 230 suspects.

The Navy attributed the renewed operational momentum to the strategic leadership of the Chief of the 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 also in line with the policy direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to raise 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 strategic value when followed by timely prosecution and convictions, which it said would strengthen deterrence against criminal networks.

It therefore commended the Judiciary for the judgement and appreciated the Department of State Services (DSS) for its professionalism in ensuring the case reached a successful conclusion.

The Service also called for the accelerated adjudication of pending crude oil theft cases, saying this would reinforce accountability and strengthen efforts to protect Nigeria’s oil and gas resources.

The Navy warned individuals and organised criminal groups involved in crude oil theft and related activities to desist, stressing that the remoteness of oil-producing communities, waterways and oil installations would not guarantee escape from justice.

It further urged law-abiding citizens and host communities to provide credible information on criminal activities threatening critical oil and gas infrastructure.

The Service pledged to sustain operational pressure against economic saboteurs while strengthening collaboration with the Judiciary, sister Services, security agencies and other stakeholders to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime domain and support legitimate economic activities.