Akwa Ibom
Navy Applauds Federal High Court, Conviction of Nine Crude Oil Thieves
Navy Applauds Federal High Court, Conviction of Nine Crude Oil Thieves
The Nigerian Navy has welcomed the Federal High Court, Uyo’s conviction and sentencing of nine persons for crude oil theft, describing the judgement as a significant development in the sustained fight against economic sabotage.
Eereporter.com
The nine convicts were sentenced by the Court on 14 September 2026 to five years’ imprisonment on Count One and 10 years’ imprisonment on Count Two, without the option of a fine. You would recall that the Nigerian Navy arrested the suspects on 7 February 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.
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 Nigerian 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. Since its inception in January 2026, the operation has leveraged intelligence-driven surveillance, precision interdictions and sustained maritime dominance across the Niger Delta to dismantle over 241 illegal refining sites, disrupt sophisticated criminal networks, recover more.
than 6.44 million litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products, and arrest over 230 suspects. 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 renewed operational momentum is driven by the strategic leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, whose emphasis on intelligence-led operations, inter-agency collaboration and enhanced maritime domain awareness has significantly strengthened the Service’s capacity to combat maritime crime. These efforts directly support the policy direction of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day by 2027, thereby contributing to national economic development and the sustainable growth of the nation’s oil and gas sector.
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. Accordingly, the Nigerian Navy commends the Judiciary for this landmark judgment and appreciates the Department of State Services for its professionalism in seeing the case through to a successful conclusion.
The Service underscores that 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. In this regard, the Nigerian Navy advocates the accelerated adjudication of all pending crude oil theft cases to further strengthen deterrence, uphold accountability and consolidate the nation’s efforts to protect its maritime resources.
The Nigerian Navy affirms its unwavering resolve to combat crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage, while warning all individuals, groups and organised criminal syndicates engaged in such illicit activities to desist forthwith.
Nigerian Navy
Indeed, the latest conviction is a pointer that perpetrators of crude oil theft cannot rely on the remoteness of oil-producing communities, waterways or oil installations to evade justice. The Service also calls on law-abiding citizens and communities to continue to support ongoing efforts by providing credible information on activities of criminal elements that threaten our 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.
and gas Going forward, the Nigerian Navy will not waver in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain, protecting critical national oil asset/infrastructure and supporting legitimate economic activity. The Service will sustain its operational pressure against economic saboteurs while strengthening collaboration with the judiciary, sister Services, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders, in furtherance of the national policy direction on increased oil production and the blue economy for national prosperity.
ABIODIN FOLORUNSHO
Navy Captain Director Naval Information Nigerian Navy
Eereporter.com
Akwa Ibom
Governor Umo Eno Reveals Economic Gains of Convention Centre, Ibom Hotel, Shopping City Projects
Governor Umo Eno Reveals Economic Gains of Convention Centre, Ibom Hotel, Shopping City Projects
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has expressed delight over the economic impact and employment opportunities created by the ongoing International Convention Centre, Ibom International Hotel and ARISE Shopping City projects in Uyo.
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Governor Eno said the projects, beyond their infrastructural significance, have engaged more than 2,000 people daily over the past year, thereby contributing to economic activities and enhancing peace and security in the State.
The Governor spoke on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while addressing members of the Government House Press Corps shortly after inspecting the ongoing construction works at the three project sites in Uyo.
He expressed satisfaction with the pace of work, describing the projects as a manifestation of visions conceived by previous administrations.
“I am happy that there is visible progress and we thank God for what we see on ground. The International Hotel and the International Conference Centre were envisaged 16 years ago and I am happy that we are realizing that vision,” he said.
Governor Eno said the projects would also support the State’s tourism development and youth empowerment objectives under his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
According to him, the facilities, when completed, would boost tourism, attract visitors and investors, create employment opportunities for youths and showcase Akwa Ibom’s tourism potential to the international community.
“The International Convention Centre can take 5,000 people, and there are partitions that would help you segment your meetings. There are twelve breakout rooms, restaurant and other facilities” he said.
The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing modern tourism facilities that would complement Akwa Ibom’s growing profile as a tourism destination.
“What we are seeing here is part of development. If this is a state capital, and we want tourists to visit, we must have the facilities to accommodate them by developing those facilities to international standards,” he added.
Governor Eno commended the contractors handling the projects for maintaining the pace of work and expressed hope that the facilities would be completed and commissioned on schedule for the benefit of the people.
Umo Eno
The Governor was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Executive Assistant/Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr Aniefiok Johnson; Commissioner for Works, Prof. Eno Ibanga; Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah; other members of the State Executive Council and government officials.
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Governor Eno Receives AIG of Police, Reaffirms Support for Security Agencies
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting security agencies to ensure effective policing and sustained peace across the State.
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The Governor stated this on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, when he received the new Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 6, Rashid Afegbua, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Uyo.
Governor Eno commended the security agencies in the State for their commitment, dedication and synergy, noting that their efforts had largely contributed to the peace and security enjoyed by the people of Akwa Ibom.
He welcomed AIG Afegbua to the zone, congratulated him on his new assignment, and appreciated him for the visit to the State.
The Governor expressed optimism that the assumption of office by the new AIG would further complement the efforts of the Police and strengthen the security architecture across the zone.
Governor Eno also commended the State Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Muhammad Azare, for his proactive role in maintaining peace and security in Akwa Ibom State, as well as for fostering synergy and a cordial relationship between the Police, other security agencies and the civil populace.
“Thank you for the work you do and the support we get, and for the proactive response that we receive. We will continue to ask for it, and we will continue to do the best we can to support the Police and other security agencies to discharge their duties,” the Governor said.
Earlier in his remarks, AIG Afegbua thanked Governor Eno for the reception accorded him and commended the Governor for prioritising peace and security through focused and purposeful governance.
He explained that his visit was to familiarise himself with, and formally register his presence with, the leadership and people of the State which is under his zone.
The new AIG assured the Governor of his readiness to collaborate with the State Government and provide the necessary support towards sustaining security and peace for the continued development of Akwa Ibom State.
The AIG was accompanied by the State Commissioner of Police, CP Azare Baba, DCP Audu Lawan, DCP Joseph Esegine, DCP Barko, ACP Asuquo Ebong, DSP Jefferson Osupe, and Asp James Ogeh.
Governor Eno, police
With the Governor to receive the team were the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, Executive Assistant/Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr Aniefiok Johnson, Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, Gen Koko Essien (rtd), Honorary Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, DIG Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi (rtd), State Accountant – General, Pastor Uwem Andrew-Essien, CSO to the Governor, CSP Besta Sini John, Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ekerete Udoh and others.
Eereporter.com
Governor Eno Approves ₦3.9bn Leave Grants for Akwa Ibom Civil Servants
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has approved the release of ₦3.909 billion for the payment of 2026 leave grants to civil servants in the state.
Eereporter.com
The approval was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah.
According to the statement, the leave grants will be paid in three tranches beginning in September, with subsequent payments scheduled for October and November.
The state government said the phased payment was designed to provide financial relief to civil servants while ensuring an orderly disbursement of the approved funds.
The approval, it added, is part of the Eno administration’s continued efforts to improve workers’ welfare and ensure that civil servants receive their legitimate entitlements under the ARISE Agenda.
In a related development, the state government has continued the payment of outstanding gratuities owed to workers and pensioners.
The latest payments have increased the total gratuities settled by the administration to ₦97,037,963,737.16, out of the ₦111 billion backlog inherited when Governor Eno assumed office.
The government said the continued settlement of the gratuity obligations demonstrates its commitment to improving the welfare of workers and pensioners while progressively clearing legitimate debts inherited by the administration.
Umo Eno
It further assured civil servants, pensioners and residents of the state that it would sustain policies and programmes aimed at improving the working environment, strengthening public institutions and enhancing the wellbeing of citizens.
The government said the latest interventions are in line with the people-centred philosophy of the ARISE Agenda.
Eereporter.com
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