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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Environment & Climate

Environmentalist calls for probe into Okrika deaths, action on gas leaks

From Premium Times · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • At least 37 people reportedly died after inhaling fumes at an alleged illegal oil-bunkering site in Okrika, Rivers State, while several others were reported missing.
  • Environmental advocates said the exact cause remained unclear and called for an independent investigation and an immediate site visit.
  • The deaths renewed concern over methane and other gas leaks from abandoned oil infrastructure in Bille, where residents have faced a prolonged health emergency.

At least 37 people reportedly died at Okari Jetty in Okrika after gathering to load petroleum products in an alleged illegal oil-bunkering operation. Several others were reported missing.

Police confirmed the deaths but said investigators were still establishing what happened. Community sources and the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre said the victims died after inhaling fumes. Environmentalist and climate justice advocate Nnimmo Bassey said the precise cause could not yet be established because no official or independent investigation had been completed.

The Rivers State Police Command can confirm the deaths. The victims were allegedly attempting to steal crude oil.

· Blessing AgbabeThe Rivers State police spokesperson confirmed the deaths and described the alleged activity involving the victims.

Bassey said the victims may have inhaled noxious gases released under high pressure. He also said they might have drowned after losing consciousness. Fyneface Dumnamene, executive director of YEAC-Nigeria, called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency to conduct an immediate Joint Investigation Visit. He also urged the company whose pipeline was vandalised to strengthen security around its facilities.

Obviously, the last breath of the dead may have been of noxious gases released under high pressure.

· Nnimmo BasseyBassey discussed possible explanations for the deaths at Okari Jetty.

Bassey connected the Okrika deaths to methane seepage in Bille, a fishing community in Rivers State's Degema local government area. Gas has reportedly bubbled from abandoned oil and gas infrastructure there for nearly a year, threatening residents' health and livelihoods. Preliminary assessments by NOSDRA reportedly detected methane, volatile organic compounds and hydrogen sulphide in the surrounding air.

Amnesty International said the leaks began in October 2025 and continued through rivers, swamps and drinking wells. The organisation said the government had investigated but had not published its findings or stopped the leaks. Bassey warned, "As we write this, the gas is still dangerously emitting in the community and could erupt in flames at any time."

As we write this, the gas is still dangerously emitting in the community and could erupt in flames at any time.

· Nnimmo BasseyBassey warned about the continuing gas seepage in Bille.
About this summary

Originally published by Premium Times. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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