Fatal Oil Theft Attempt in Rivers: 37 Suspects Die in Okrika

A tragic incident in Rivers State's Okrika Local Government Area has resulted in the deaths of approximately 37 individuals, all suspected of engaging in illegal oil bunkering. These fatalities are believed to have occurred after the victims inhaled a petroleum substance, thought to be crude oil. The unfortunate event reportedly unfolded in the early hours of Thursday, as a group of youths allegedly tried to transfer the illicit product from an unlawfully tapped pipeline point at a local jetty onto a waiting vessel.

In the aftermath of the disaster within the predominantly coastal settlement, reports indicate that several other individuals remain unaccounted for. Information gathered suggests that over 100 people, hailing from Okrika and nearby communities, had converged on the jetty. They arrived in locally constructed boats, intending to participate in loading the petroleum product from the illicit tapping location.

An anonymous community source, speaking to PUNCH Online and citing security concerns, recounted that a potent odour permeated the vicinity during the product loading process, leading to the collapse of many young individuals. The source further elaborated that some victims plunged into the river, while others who managed to escape experienced severe respiratory distress and required hospitalization. The source stated, "As I speak to you, over 37 bodies were identified as Okirika people while six others were yet to be identified and many are still missing."

Confirming the tragic event, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) announced that its network of youth volunteers and human rights advocates across the Niger Delta had received accounts of the fatalities. Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene, the Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, issued a statement indicating that at least 37 individuals, believed to be involved in oil theft, lost their lives after inhaling a substance locally referred to as "Indorama fuel."

Dr. Dumnamene specified that the incident took place around midnight on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the Okari Jetty, located in the Okrika Mainland region. He explained that the victims had attached a pipe to an illegal tapping point on a major pipeline. This pipeline is responsible for conveying petroleum products from the Indorama Eleme Petrochemical facility, via the Port Harcourt Refinery, to ships that routinely load products for international export.

"The report further stated that while a vessel was loading the product and the men were simultaneously loading into their waiting boats from the illegal tapping point, they inhaled the product being pumped at high pressure," Dumnamene quoted. He added, "This led to the death of not fewer than 37 persons. Many are still missing, and some corpses have been seen floating on the river but have not yet been recovered."

In response, Dumnamene urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to promptly initiate a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to the incident site. He also implored the company whose infrastructure was reportedly compromised to bolster security measures around its pipelines to avert future occurrences of such tragedies.

He further conveyed that "The Advocacy Centre condemns this act of sabotage by the youths and warns them to stay away from oil and gas infrastructure due to the high pressure and associated dangers." Dumnamene concluded by stating, "While calling for investigation into the incident, the Advocacy Centre also calls on the government to provide alternative livelihood opportunities, including the canvassed modular refineries and the legalisation of artisanal refining."

The Rivers State Police Command's spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police Blessing Agabe, confirmed the incident upon contact. She stated that the victims were reportedly attempting to siphon crude oil. Agabe noted that despite the absence of a formal complaint to the command, an investigation has already been launched. Agabe clarified, "The suspects reportedly died in the process of attempting to steal crude oil. However, no official complaint has been received in connection with the incident at this time." She concluded, "Investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and ascertain the facts."