37 suspected oil thieves die during illegal loading in Rivers
At least 37 suspected crude oil thieves have died after inhaling toxic fumes during an alleged illegal oil-loading operation at Okari Jetty in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Several others were reportedly missing after the incident, which occurred around midnight on Thursday, September 3, while the suspects were allegedly transferring petroleum products from an illegally tapped pipeline into waiting boats.
Nkereuwem Effiong
At least 37 suspected crude oil thieves have died after inhaling toxic fumes during an alleged illegal oil-loading operation at Okari Jetty in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Several others were reportedly missing after the incident, which occurred around midnight on Thursday, September 3, while the suspects were allegedly transferring petroleum products from an illegally tapped pipeline into waiting boats.
Community sources said more than 200 people, mostly youths from neighbouring communities, had gathered at the jetty with locally made boats to collect the product while a vessel was also loading nearby.
The sources said the intense fumes released during the operation overwhelmed those at the site, causing several of them to collapse.
Some reportedly fell into the river while others managed to escape but developed severe breathing difficulties and were taken to an undisclosed hospital in Port Harcourt for treatment.
The Executive Director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, confirmed the deaths, saying the organisation received reports from its network of youth volunteers and human rights defenders in Okrika.
Fyneface said at least 37 people had been confirmed dead after inhaling what residents locally refer to as “Indorama fuel”.
He said the victims were allegedly tapping a pipeline carrying petroleum products from the Indorama Eleme Petrochemical complex through the Port Harcourt Refinery to vessels loading at the jetty.
According to him, the suspects were transferring the product into their boats when they were exposed to fumes from the high-pressure pipeline.
He said some bodies had reportedly been seen floating on the river, although several had yet to be recovered.
While some residents put the death toll at more than 43, the confirmed figure remained 37 as of the time of filing the report.
Rivers State Police Command also confirmed the incident, saying the victims were allegedly attempting to steal crude oil.
The police spokesperson, ASP Agabe Karbalo, said no formal complaint had been lodged but that the command had commenced an investigation to establish what happened.
“The suspects reportedly died in the process of attempting to steal crude oil,” Karbalo said.
She added that investigators were working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the facts.
Meanwhile, Fyneface called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit to the site.
He also urged operators of oil facilities to strengthen security around their pipelines to prevent further illegal tapping and loss of lives.
The environmental group warned youths against tampering with oil and gas infrastructure, citing the dangers associated with high-pressure petroleum systems and toxic exposure.
It also called for greater investment in alternative livelihoods in the Niger Delta, arguing that economic opportunities could help reduce dependence on illegal oil activities.
The investigation is expected to establish the exact cause of the deaths, the number of people still missing and the circumstances surrounding the alleged illegal operation.
