37 People Die From Fumes During Oil Pipeline Theft in Nigeria: NGO
Police said 37 suspected oil thieves died after inhaling fumes from a product being pumped at high pressure during an illegal loading attempt.
- On Thursday, September 3, 2026, 37 suspected oil thieves died at Okari Jetty in Rivers State after inhaling a substance during an alleged attempt to illegally tap a pipeline for crude oil.
- Around midnight, over 200 youths used locally made boats to tap a pipeline transporting product from Indorama Eleme Petrochemical while a vessel anchored at the jetty for export.
- Victims inhaled what is locally called "Indorama Fuel," causing many to collapse into the river while others suffered respiratory challenges; community sources indicate many remain missing.
- Rivers State Police Command spokesperson Blessing Agabe confirmed the incident; though no official complaint has been lodged, the command has commenced an investigation to establish the facts.
- YEAC-Nigeria Executive Director Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface called on NOSDRA to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit and urged the government to provide alternative livelihood opportunities, including the proposed PACORDI initiative.
24 Articles
24 Articles
Sabotage of oil pipelines and theft of oil are common in this region, the Niger Delta, and are a major cause of environmental pollution.
In Nigeria's Rivers state, 37 people died from toxic gas while stealing oil. Some fell into the river and disappeared, while survivors were taken to hospital.
37 people die from fumes during oil pipeline theft in Nigeria: NGO
Illegal oil-siphoning is a major problem in Nigeria -- an OPEC member and one of Africa's largest petroleum producers -- causing serious pollution. Accidents are common in swamps in the Niger Delta, where smugglers tap into pipelines to steal crude and refine it into fuel for sale. The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) said it had "received and confirmed a report from its network of youth volunteers and human rights defende…
At least 37 people were killed today, Thursday, by the inhalation of toxic fumes while attempting to steal fuel from a pipeline in Rivers, southern Nigeria, according to a local NGO.
Suspected Crude oil thieves choke to death in Rivers
No fewer than 37 suspected oil thieves were choked to death after inhaling substance from the stolen crude product they were loading in their boats at Okari Jetty, Okirika Local Government Area, Rivers State. Daily Trust gathered that the incident occurred at the early hours of Thursday, as the suspected oil thieves were loading the product to the boat at about 12am. Community sources told Daily Trust that many others, who were involved in the a…
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