Environmental group says 37 dead in Nigeria after inhaling fumes trying to tap pipeline

At least 37 people died after inhaling fumes while attempting to tap an oil pipeline in southern Nigeria, according to the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre. The group said the incident occurred around midnight on Thursday at Okrika in Rivers State.

Police said the victims died while trying to steal crude oil. The environmental group said the incident took place at Okari Jetty as a vessel was loading and suspected thieves were forcing a petroleum product under high pressure into boats. It said other people were missing and bodies had been seen floating in the river.

Rivers police spokesperson ASP Blessing Kaborlo Agabe said an investigation was underway. “Investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and ascertain the facts,” Agabe said.

The reported toll would make the incident the deadliest known case since at least October 2023. Oil theft and pipeline vandalism remain persistent problems in the Niger Delta, causing deaths and pollution and contributing to losses for Nigeria’s oil industry.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps cautioned that the circulating casualty figures remained unverified. It said the substance involved required technical confirmation and that it was working with security agencies to establish the number of dead, injured and missing, while examining possible negligence, collusion or criminal facilitation. Reuters could not independently confirm what happened or the death toll.

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Investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and ascertain the facts