At Least 37 Die Inhaling Fumes During Nigeria Oil Theft Attempt

At least 37 people died after inhaling toxic fumes during an alleged oil theft attempt in Nigeria's Rivers State.

The incident occurred around midnight on Thursday at Okari Jetty in Okrika Local Government Area. The victims were reportedly siphoning crude products from an illegal tapping point into boats when exposed to high-pressure fumes. The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Center, citing a network of volunteers, reported the death toll and said many others are still missing, with bodies seen floating in the river.

Rivers State police spokesperson Blessing Agabe confirmed the deaths on Friday but did not provide a specific death toll, stating an investigation is underway to establish circumstances and facts. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps stated that circulating casualty figures remain unverified and the substance involved requires technical confirmation. They are working with security agencies to determine the number of dead, injured, and missing, and to investigate possible negligence, collusion, or criminal facilitation.

Oil theft is common in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, Africa’s biggest oil-producing region. This incident is the worst known death toll since at least October 2023.