19 Suspected Crude Oil Thieves Now Facing Prosecution in Akwa Ibom

The number of suspected crude oil thieves facing prosecution in Akwa Ibom State has risen to 19 following the arraignment of two additional suspects by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The latest suspects, identified as Arepade Dominic Ekprese and Benson Ekiokekeme Innocent, were arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting along Fulga Road in Uyo.

The court, however, declined jurisdiction over the alleged offence, ruling that the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

Despite the jurisdictional issue, the magistrate ordered that the two suspects be remanded at the Uyo Medium Correctional Facility for an initial period of 21 days.

The development is linked to an intelligence-led operation conducted by the Joint Task Force South South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), in April 2026.

According to a security source, the operation led to the arrest of 26 crew members and the seizure of two motor tankers, MT Westaf and MT Mkpodu, after they were allegedly caught siphoning crude oil from a platform operated by a major oil company in the state’s coastal area.

Earlier reports from the Joint Task Force confirmed the interception of the two vessels within the Calabar/Akwa Ibom Joint Operations Area. The vessels were found with a combined 939 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude, valued at more than ₦4 billion.

MT Mkpodu was reportedly intercepted while allegedly siphoning crude and had about 480 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude onboard, while MT Westaf was carrying approximately 459 metric tonnes. The operation was conducted following credible intelligence received by security agencies.

Seventeen of the suspects and the two vessels had previously been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Uyo and remanded at the Medium Security Correctional Centre, Uyo, pending the continuation of proceedings in September.

The latest arraignment therefore brings to 19 the number of suspects currently being prosecuted in connection with the alleged crude oil theft operation.

The Federal Government has intensified operations against crude oil theft across the Niger Delta as part of efforts to protect oil infrastructure, increase crude production and strengthen the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

Security agencies have continued to rely on intelligence gathering and joint operations to disrupt suspected oil theft networks operating across the region.

Authorities have also maintained that the crackdown is aimed at dismantling the networks responsible for the theft of crude oil and other forms of economic sabotage.