No fewer than 37 persons suspected of oil theft have died after allegedly inhaling a petroleum product believed to be crude oil at a jetty in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Several other persons were said to be missing following the incident, which reportedly occurred in the early hours of Thursday at Okari Jetty in the Okrika Mainland area.
It was gathered that more than 100 persons from Okrika and neighbouring communities had reportedly converged on the jetty in locally made boats to scoop the product from an allegedly illegally tapped pipeline.
Sources said a strong smell filled the area while the product was being pumped, causing several of the suspected oil thieves to collapse.
Some of the victims were said to have fallen into the river, while others who escaped reportedly suffered severe respiratory complications and were rushed to hospitals.
A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said more than 37 bodies had been identified, while several others remained missing.
“As I speak to you, over 37 bodies have been identified as Okrika people, while six others are yet to be identified and many are still missing,” the source said.
Confirming the incident, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) said reports from its network of youth volunteers and human rights defenders indicated that at least 37 people died after inhaling a petroleum product locally referred to as “Indorama fuel”.
The Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, said the incident occurred around midnight on Thursday when the victims allegedly connected a pipe to an illegal tapping point on a pipeline transporting petroleum products.
He said the pipeline was believed to convey products from the Indorama Eleme Petrochemical facility through the Port Harcourt Refinery to vessels loading petroleum products for export.
Dumnamene said the victims allegedly inhaled the product being pumped at high pressure while attempting to load it into waiting boats.
“The report further stated that 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. Many are still missing, and some corpses have been seen floating on the river but have not yet been recovered,” he said.
The YEAC boss called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct an immediate Joint Investigation Visit to the scene.
He also urged the company whose facilities were allegedly vandalised to strengthen security around its pipelines to prevent further incidents.
Dumnamene condemned the alleged act of sabotage and warned youths to stay away from oil and gas facilities because of the dangers associated with high-pressure petroleum products.
While calling for a thorough investigation, he urged the government to provide alternative sources of livelihood for young people, including support for modular refineries and the legalisation of artisanal refining.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, confirmed the incident, saying the victims were allegedly attempting to steal crude oil.
Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said although no formal complaint had been lodged with the police, an investigation had commenced.
“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,” she said.
