No fewer than 43 people have died after inhaling toxic fumes during an “illegal fuel siphoning operation” in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The incident occurred around midnight on Thursday at Okari Jetty in Okrika Mainland, where a vessel was loading petroleum products for export.
Sources in the community said more than 200 youths from neighbouring communities arrived in wooden boats and attempted to siphon fuel from an illegally connected tapping point on a pipeline linked to the facility.
Witnesses said the victims were exposed to concentrated chemical fumes while loading the product into their boats, causing many to lose consciousness.
Some reportedly fell into the river and drowned, while others escaped with severe respiratory complications and are receiving treatment.
Sources said 37 of the deceased have been identified as indigenes of Okrika, while six others remain unidentified. Several people are still unaccounted for.
Blessing Agabe, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, confirmed the incident.
Agabe said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine the actual number of casualties.
In a statement, Fyneface Fyneface, executive director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), said the victims had connected a pipe to a tapping point on a pipeline transporting petroleum products from Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals through the Port Harcourt refinery corridor to export vessels.
He said the victims were loading the product into waiting boats while a vessel was receiving supplies from the pipeline.
“According to the report, no fewer than 37 persons suspected to be oil thieves died after inhaling what is locally called ‘Indorama Fuel’. Many others are still missing,” Fyneface said.
“The incident occurred during the illegal loading of the product into a ship at a tapping point.
“The incident is said to have occurred at about 12:00am on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the Okari Jetty, Okrika Mainland area.”
YEAC-Nigeria called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct a joint investigation into the incident.
Fyneface also urged operators of the affected facilities to strengthen security around oil and gas infrastructure to prevent vandalism and illegal bunkering.
He warned youths against tampering with oil and gas facilities, citing the dangers associated with petroleum products transported under high pressure.
Fyneface urged the government to create alternative livelihood opportunities in the Niger Delta through initiatives such as modular refineries, the formalisation of artisanal refining and industrial development programmes.
