In a tragic turn of events, 37 individuals suspected of engaging in oil theft have died after inhaling a petroleum substance believed to be crude oil in the Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State. The incident unfolded early on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Okari Jetty, where a group of youths attempted to load the product from an illegally tapped pipeline.

Reports indicate that over 100 people from Okrika and surrounding communities converged at the jetty in locally made boats to load the illicitly obtained crude oil. Eyewitnesses described a strong odor permeating the area during the loading process, which reportedly caused many of the youths to collapse. A local source, who chose to remain anonymous due to security concerns, confirmed that several victims fell into the river, while others who managed to escape suffered severe respiratory issues and were subsequently taken to nearby hospitals.

The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC) has corroborated the reports of the incident, stating that its network of volunteers and human rights defenders in the Niger Delta received alarming accounts of the deaths. Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene, the Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, disclosed that the victims were involved in connecting a pipe to a tapping point on a pipeline that transports petroleum products from the Indorama Eleme Petrochemical facility to vessels for export.

Dumnamene elaborated that the victims were loading the product into their boats while a vessel was simultaneously being filled from the illegal tapping point. The high-pressure pumping of the crude oil led to the inhalation of the toxic substance, resulting in the fatalities. He noted that while 37 bodies had been identified, six others remained unaccounted for, with many more still missing. Some corpses have reportedly been seen floating in the river, but recovery efforts have not yet been successful.

In response to the incident, Dumnamene urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit to the site. He also called on the company whose facilities were allegedly vandalized to enhance security measures around its pipelines to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Furthermore, he condemned the act of sabotage by the youths and emphasized the dangers associated with tampering with oil and gas infrastructure.

The Rivers State Police Command has acknowledged the incident, with spokesperson Blessing Agabe confirming that the victims were attempting to steal crude oil at the time of their deaths. Although no formal complaints have been lodged, Agabe stated that an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and to ascertain the facts.

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing issues surrounding illegal oil tapping and the associated dangers, prompting calls for alternative livelihood opportunities and legal frameworks for artisanal refining in the region.