At least 37 people suspected to be oil thieves have died in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State after inhaling petroleum fumes during an illegal bunkering operation.
The incident happened around midnight on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Okari Jetty in Okrika Mainland.
According to community sources and the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, YEAC-Nigeria, more than 100 youths from Okrika and nearby communities had gathered at the jetty with local boats to siphon petroleum product from an illegal tapping point.
A source in the community said the youths connected a pipe to a pipeline linked to the Indorama Eleme Petrochemical facility, which runs through the Port Harcourt Refinery to export vessels.
As they loaded the product into boats while a vessel was also loading, the fumes overwhelmed many of them.
“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,” YEAC-Nigeria Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene, said in a statement.
The group, which confirmed the incident, said the product was locally called “Indorama fuel.”
The source added that some victims collapsed and fell into the river, while others who escaped suffered severe respiratory problems and were rushed to hospital.
“As I speak to you, over 37 bodies were identified as Okrika people while six others were yet to be identified and many are still missing,” he said. Some corpses were reportedly still floating on the river.
The Rivers State Police Command also confirmed the incident. Its spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe, said the victims allegedly died while attempting to steal crude oil.
“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.
YEAC-Nigeria condemned the act of sabotage and urged youths to stay away from oil and gas infrastructure due to the dangers of high pressure.
Dumnamene called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit to the site, and asked the company involved to strengthen pipeline security.
He also urged the government to provide alternative livelihoods, including modular refineries and legalisation of artisanal refining, to curb illegal bunkering.