𝗢𝗸𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗮 𝗢𝗶𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱𝘆: 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀, 𝗗𝗼𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝘂𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗺 𝗜𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘, 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗔.

 Panic and grief have gripped communities in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State following a deadly incident at Okari Jetty, where dozens of people are feared dead after inhaling toxic fumes during an alleged illegal petroleum siphoning operation.

The incident reportedly occurred around midnight on Thursday, September 3, 2026, when a large number of youths from Okrika and neighbouring communities allegedly converged on the jetty in locally made boats to siphon petroleum products from an illegally tapped point.

Reports indicate that a vessel was also anchored at the jetty to load petroleum products for export when the illegal loading operation was taking place.

As the operation continued, the area was reportedly engulfed by highly concentrated and pungent fumes from the petroleum product. Several people allegedly collapsed after inhaling the fumes, while some reportedly fell into the river.

Community sources have put the death toll as high as 43, while the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) separately reported at least 37 deaths. Several other persons are still believed to be missing, with reports indicating that some bodies were sighted in the river but had yet to be recovered.

The Rivers State Police Command, however, has cautioned against relying on unverified casualty figures, saying the exact number of deaths could not yet be established as investigations were ongoing. Police spokesperson Blessing Agabe Kaborio said the command was working to determine the actual circumstances and casualty figure.

The Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said victims reportedly inhaled what residents commonly refer to as “Indorama fuel,” identified in reports as C5, a petroleum-related by-product associated with the Indorama petrochemical facility.

According to reports, the substance was being pumped through a pipeline under high pressure while the illegal operators attempted to load it into waiting boats, exposing those at the scene to dangerous fumes.

The tragedy has renewed concerns over the deadly consequences of oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta, particularly the risks faced by young people who venture into dangerous oil-producing areas in search of livelihood.

YEAC-Nigeria has called for an investigation into the incident and urged government and relevant oil companies to strengthen security around petroleum infrastructure. The organisation also advocated sustainable livelihood opportunities for youths in oil-producing communities as part of efforts to reduce dependence on illegal oil activities.

As search and recovery efforts continue, families and communities are anxiously awaiting information about those still missing.

The Okrika tragedy has once again brought into sharp focus the human cost of illegal oil activities and the urgent need for stronger protection, enforcement and economic alternatives across the Niger Delta.