Okrika pipeline incident: NSCDC confirms four deaths and opens investigation

The controversy over reported deaths at Jetty Creeks in Rivers State has deepened after Nigeria’s civil defence corps confirmed that four bodies had been sighted, while Indorama Petrochemical denied any connection to the fatalities.

The Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said an undercover team found the bodies after further assessment and surveillance of the area. The command said it was still verifying the identities of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

One victim was identified as Taribo Levia, whose remains had reportedly been buried according to traditional customs. The other people reportedly sighted were Ogoloma Tamunoene Fred, Amiso and Belema Siyerminma, all from Ngabiri. The NSCDC said earlier casualty figures circulating after the incident had not been fully verified and may have been overstated.

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The command notes that the initial casualty figures circulating in the aftermath of the incident were not fully verified and may have been overstated.

The command has begun gathering information with relevant stakeholders to establish the immediate and broader causes, confirm the identities of all victims and determine whether anyone remains unaccounted for. It also warned residents against vandalising or entering petroleum facilities without authorisation, tampering with pipelines and scooping petroleum products.

Indorama, however, rejected reports linking its company or facility to the deaths. Major Fidelis Akando, the company’s pipeline surveillance coordinator, said he had been at the site since Monday during the loading of a by-product known as cracked C5 onto a vessel. He said security agencies and other stakeholders had been mobilised and that the jetty and pipeline corridor had a heavy security presence. The investigation remains ongoing.

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The Rivers State Commandant noted that the NSCDC has commenced further investigation and information gathering in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to establish the immediate and remote causes of the incident, ascertain the identities of all victims and determine whether any persons remain unaccounted for.