Navy Hails Conviction of Nine Crude Oil Thieves as Significant Development
Nigerian Navy hails conviction of nine crude oil thieves as significant development in fight against economic sabotage.
The nine convicts were sentenced to five years' imprisonment on Count One and 10 years on Count Two without the option of a fine, according to a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.
The Navy said its personnel arrested the suspects on February 7, 2026, during an intelligence-led operation while they were allegedly stealing crude oil from an oil wellhead identified as ASABO-D in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The conviction demonstrates the importance of effective prosecution and judicial determination in complementing enforcement operations against crude oil theft, the Navy said.