At least 43 people have died after reportedly inhaling toxic fumes during an alleged illegal fuel siphoning operation at Okari Jetty in Okrika Mainland, Rivers State.
The incident occurred around midnight on Thursday, September 3, 2026, when more than 200 youths from neighbouring communities reportedly arrived in wooden boats and attempted to siphon petroleum products from an illegally connected pipeline tapping point.
According to community sources cited by TheCable, the youths were loading the product into their boats when they were exposed to concentrated chemical fumes.
Several victims reportedly lost consciousness. Some fell into the river and drowned, while others escaped but suffered severe respiratory complications and were taken for treatment.
Thirty-seven of the deceased have reportedly been identified as indigenes of Okrika, while six others remain unidentified. Several people are also still missing.
Blessing Agabe, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, confirmed the incident and said investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and establish the actual number of casualties.
Fyneface Fyneface, executive director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), said the victims were suspected oil thieves who 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.
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 oil and gas facilities to strengthen security around their infrastructure to prevent vandalism and illegal bunkering.
He warned youths against tampering with oil and gas facilities, noting the dangers associated with petroleum products transported under high pressure.
The environmental group also called for alternative livelihood opportunities for Niger Delta youths through initiatives including modular refineries, formalisation of artisanal refining and industrial development programmes.
