At least 37 people suspected of oil theft have reportedly died after inhaling a petroleum product believed to be crude oil in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The incident occurred around Okari Jetty in the Okrika Mainland area, where youths allegedly gathered to collect petroleum products from an illegally tapped pipeline.
Reports said more than 100 people from Okrika and surrounding communities arrived at the jetty in locally made boats to load the product from the tapping point.
A community source told PUNCH Online that a strong smell suddenly spread through the area while the product was being loaded, causing several people to collapse.
Some of those affected reportedly fell into the river, while others who survived experienced severe breathing difficulties and were taken to hospitals for treatment.
“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,” the source said.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) also confirmed the incident, saying its network of youth volunteers and human rights defenders in the Niger Delta had received reports of the deaths.
The organisation’s Executive Director, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, said at least 37 people suspected of oil theft died after inhaling what is locally known as “Indorama fuel”.
According to Dumnamene, the incident happened around midnight on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Okari Jetty.
He said the victims allegedly connected a pipe to a tapping point on a pipeline carrying petroleum products from the Indorama Eleme Petrochemical facility through the Port Harcourt Refinery to vessels that routinely load products for 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.
“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,” he said.
Dumnamene called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency to conduct an immediate Joint Investigation Visit to the location.
He also appealed to the company whose facilities were allegedly vandalised to improve security around its pipelines to prevent similar incidents.
“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.
“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,” he added.
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The Rivers State Police Command also confirmed the incident. Its spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, said the victims were allegedly trying to steal crude oil when the incident occurred.
Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, noted that the command had not received an official complaint but had commenced an investigation into the matter.
“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.
“Investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and ascertain the facts,” Agabe stated.