By Vanessa Vivian Uzu-Okonta
Abstract
Oil theft and pipeline vandalism represent critical threats to Nigeria’s economic stability, environmental integrity and national security. These criminal activities undermine the productivity of the oil and gas sector, the sector which remains the backbone of the country’s revenue base. Despite numerous interventions and judicial remedies, persistent weaknesses in legal enforcement and regulatory oversight continue to impede meaningful progress. This article critically examines the legal instruments available for combating oil theft and pipeline sabotage in Nigeria, highlighting the roles of statutory frameworks, institutional mandates and the justice
system in enforcing accountability and safeguarding national resources. Through primary research methods, consulting academic texts, judicial decisions, policy documents and authoritative verified online sources, this work critically assesses the adequacy of current laws such as the Petroleum Industry Act, Criminal Code, Environmental Impact Assessment Act amongst others. It identifies institutional shortcomings and enforcement lapses that contribute to systemic inefficiency, while interrogating the interface between legal mechanisms and the broader reform agenda. It further considers the wider implications of unchecked oil theft and incidences of vandalism, particularly their impact on energy security, environmental degradation and foreign investment. In doing so, it underscores the urgent need for comprehensive legal and institutional innovation to ensure effective deterrence,
community engagement and inter-agency collaboration. By placing justice at the heart of reform, this study advances a rights-driven and development-oriented framework for restoring transparency, accountability and sustainability in Nigeria’s oil sector.