37 SUSPECTED OIL THIEVES DIE AFTER INHALING SUBSTANCE IN RIVERS
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By; Sunmola Gsaniyat
At least 37 persons suspected of oil theft have reportedly died after inhaling a petroleum product believed to be crude oil in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The incident occurred early Thursday at Okari Jetty in Okrika Mainland, where more than 100 youths from Okrika and neighbouring communities reportedly gathered in locally made boats to load petroleum products from an illegally tapped pipeline.
According to a community source, a strong smell suddenly filled the area while the product was being pumped at high pressure, causing several people to collapse. Some victims reportedly fell into the river, while others who survived were rushed to hospitals with severe respiratory complications.
The Executive Director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, confirmed the incident, saying at least 37 people had died after inhaling what was locally referred to as “Indorama fuel.”
Dumnamene said several others remained missing, while some bodies had reportedly been seen floating on the river but had yet to be recovered.
He called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency to immediately conduct a Joint Investigation Visit to the site and urged the company whose pipeline was allegedly vandalised to strengthen security around its facilities.
The advocacy group also condemned the alleged sabotage and warned youths against tampering with oil and gas infrastructure, citing the dangers associated with high-pressure pipelines.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command confirmed the incident.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe, said the victims allegedly died while attempting to steal crude oil.
She added that although no official complaint had been lodged, the police had commenced an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and establish the facts.
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