37 Suspected Oil Thieves Die after Inhaling Substance in Rivers

About 37 persons suspected of oil theft have died after inhaling a petroleum product believed to be crude oil in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The incident reportedly occurred early Thursday when youths allegedly attempted to load the product into a vessel from an illegally tapped point at a jetty in the area.

Several others were said to be missing following the incident, which occurred in the mainly coastal community.

It was gathered that more than 100 persons from Okrika and neighbouring communities had stormed the jetty in locally made boats to load the product from the illegal tapping point.

A source in the community told PUNCH Online that a strong smell filled the area while the product was being loaded, causing several of the youths to collapse.

The source, who requested anonymity due to security concerns, said some of the victims fell into the river while those who escaped suffered serious respiratory problems and were taken to hospital.

*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,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre has confirmed the incident, saying its network of youth volunteers and human rights defenders in the Niger Delta received reports of the deaths.

The Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, said in a statement that no fewer than 37 persons suspected of oil theft died after inhaling what was locally called “Indorama fuel”.

He said the incident occurred at about midnight on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Okari Jetty in the Okrika Mainland area.

According to Dumnamene, the victims had connected a pipe to a tapping point on a pipeline that transported petroleum products from the Indorama Eleme Petrochemical facility through the Port Harcourt Refinery to vessels that regularly came to 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 immediately conduct a Joint Investigation Visit to the site.

He also urged the company whose facilities were allegedly vandalised to strengthen security around its pipelines to prevent a recurrence.

“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.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, confirmed the incident, saying the victims were allegedly attempting to steal crude oil.

Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said that while no official complaint has been lodged with the command, it has commenced an investigation.

“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.