Navy Sentences 9 Oil Thieves to 10 Years as Crackdown Continues
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta region. As part of this effort, nine suspects were recently sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Uyo Division, Akwa Ibom State.
The suspects, identified as Michael Olayinka Mebawadu, Gerekumo Duduku, Godpromise Toikee Amijoe, Victor Ita, Owei Godspower, Newyear Orimisan Fiyeboju, Henry Siarerebo Opuowei, and Innocent Oluwatimilehin Egbayelo, were arrested in February 2026 for their involvement in crude oil theft at a wellhead in Akwa Ibom.
According to the Navy, the court sentenced the suspects to five years' imprisonment on count one and 10 years on count two. This is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's efforts to increase Nigeria's crude oil output to 2.5 million barrels per day by 2027.