The Department of State Services, DSS, has arraigned two additional suspects over alleged crude oil theft in Akwa Ibom State, bringing to 19 the number of suspects facing trial.
The suspects, Arepade Dominic Ekprese and Benson Ekiokekeme Innocent, were arraigned on Thursday before a Magistrate Court in Uyo.
The court declined jurisdiction but ordered their remand at the Uyo Medium Correctional Facility for 21 days, pending the resumption of the Federal High Court, which is handling the substantive case.
The suspects were allegedly involved in the April 9, 2026 crude oil theft operation in which the Joint Task Force South South, Operation Delta Safe, arrested 26 crew members and seized two vessels, MT Westaf and MT Mkpodu.
The vessels were allegedly caught siphoning crude oil from a platform off the Akwa Ibom coastline.
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Seventeen suspects had earlier been arraigned before the Federal High Court and remanded pending the resumption of proceedings in September.
A security source says the ongoing operations are aimed at curbing crude oil theft, increasing national oil production and boosting foreign exchange earnings.
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(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
