At least 37 people suspected of illegally tapping crude oil died after inhaling hazardous fumes during an attempt to steal oil from a loading vessel in southern Nigeria, an environmental NGO reported.
The incident occurred overnight Thursday at a jetty in Okrika, Rivers State, part of the oil-rich Niger Delta region. The vessel involved was reportedly connected to Indorama Eleme Petrochemical and the Port Harcourt Refinery.
Details of the Incident
The Youth and Advocacy Centre, the Nigerian environmental group providing the information, stated the victims succumbed primarily to toxic fumes during their efforts to siphon oil at an unauthorized tapping point. Volunteers assisting with the aftermath indicated that some individuals remain unaccounted for and may be lost in the water.
While police confirmed the fatalities and said the deceased were involved in crude oil theft, official death toll figures have not been formally released. The Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Blessing Agbabe, acknowledged the incident but emphasized the ongoing investigation. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps also noted that casualty numbers were unverified and pledged to coordinate further clarifications.
Context on Oil Theft in Nigeria
Oil theft is a persistent problem in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, a region plagued by poverty and environmental damage linked to illegal oil activities. The Nigerian government estimates that oil theft costs billions of dollars annually and has intensified efforts to clamp down on the crime.
Such illegal tapping not only causes financial losses but also heightens the risk of accidents and environmental contamination. This reported incident, if confirmed, represents the deadliest accident related to attempted oil theft in Nigeria since at least October 2023.
