morgaNABLE News/Communities
A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said more than 100 persons had stormed the jetty in locally fabricated boats while a vessel was anchored nearby to load petroleum products.
KaNo—
No fewer than 37 persons have reportedly died after inhaling toxic fumes from a petroleum product at a jetty in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, in a tragic incident that has again highlighted the dangers of illegal oil activities in the Niger Delta.
The incident, which occurred late Thursday night at the Okari Jetty in Okrika Mainland, has left the riverine community in shock, with several others still unaccounted for as search efforts continue.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the victims, mostly youths from Okrika and neighbouring communities, had converged on the jetty to load petroleum products from an illegal tapping point connected to a pipeline in the area.
A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said more than 100 persons had stormed the jetty in locally fabricated boats while a vessel was anchored nearby to load petroleum products.
According to the source, trouble began when a strong, overwhelming smell suddenly filled the air during the loading process, causing many of those present to collapse.
“Many of them collapsed into the river, while others who managed to escape the scene developed serious respiratory complications and were rushed to nearby hospitals,” the source said.
YAEC Confirms Incident
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) also confirmed the incident, describing it as a major environmental and humanitarian tragedy.
In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Fyneface Dumnamene, the organisation said its network of youth volunteers and human rights defenders in the Niger Delta had reported that at least 37 persons suspected to be involved in illegal oil activities died after inhaling what locals refer to as “Indorama fuel.”
“According to reports from our field volunteers, no fewer than 37 persons lost their lives after inhaling toxic fumes from a petroleum product locally known as ‘Indorama fuel,’” he said.
“Many others are still missing. The incident happened during the illegal loading of the product into a vessel at a tapping point.”
He explained that the victims had connected a pipe to a vandalised section of a pipeline transporting petroleum products from Indorama Eleme Petrochemical Company through the Port Harcourt Refinery to export vessels that dock periodically.
According to him, the victims were exposed to the fumes while the vessel was loading the product and they were simultaneously siphoning it into their boats.
“This led to the death of not fewer than 37 persons. Many are still missing, and some bodies have been seen floating on the river but have yet to be recovered,” he added.
The YEAC-Nigeria boss called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to immediately conduct a joint investigation into the incident to ascertain its cause and prevent future occurrences.
He also urged the company responsible for the affected pipeline infrastructure to strengthen security around its facilities to deter vandalism.
Dumnamene further warned youths in the region against engaging in illegal oil activities, stressing the grave dangers associated with high-pressure pipelines and exposure to petroleum fumes.
He, however, reiterated the need for sustainable solutions, including the creation of alternative livelihood opportunities for youths in the Niger Delta, as well as the establishment of modular refineries and the legalisation of artisanal refining.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the incident.
Police Say Residents Died Scooping Fuel
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Blessing Agabe, said preliminary information suggested that the victims died while attempting to steal crude oil.
Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, noted that although no formal complaint had been lodged, the command had commenced an investigation into the matter.
“The suspects reportedly died in the process of attempting to steal crude oil. However, no official complaint has been received in connection with the incident at this time,” she said.
“Investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and ascertain the facts.”
However, an alternative account of the incident was provided by the Commander of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in Okrika LGA, Igwe Godswill.
Godswill disputed claims that the victims were engaged in oil theft, insisting that they had gone to scoop petroleum products that had spilled into the river.
He said the victims were overwhelmed by fumes from a vessel loading petroleum products at the jetty.
“It is so pathetic that this incident is happening in our community. These are young men who went out to search for their daily bread, only for toxic fumes to kill them,” he said.
“Many of them were choked to death. These are not criminals. They were trying to survive in a difficult environment.”
He disclosed that about 10 bodies had been recovered so far, adding that several victims could not be identified due to the condition of their remains.
“We saw about 10 bodies. Four were unrecognisable, while four persons were identified. Others could not be identified because their faces were badly affected,” he said.
He added that recovery efforts were ongoing but expressed concern that many victims might still be missing in the surrounding waters.
The Civilian JTF commander called on the Rivers State Government, community leaders and other stakeholders to urgently address youth unemployment in the area.
“It is not enough to warn them to stay away. People need jobs. When there is no means of livelihood, they will continue to take these risks,” he said.
“Even after this tragedy, people still went back to the site the next day. That tells you how desperate the situation is.”
Godswill urged authorities to implement sustainable economic programmes that would provide legitimate sources of income for youths in the Niger Delta.
The incident adds to a growing list of fatal accidents linked to illegal oil activities in the region, where pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and artisanal refining have become widespread due to poverty and lack of opportunities.
Experts have repeatedly warned that exposure to petroleum fumes, especially in poorly ventilated environments, can cause severe respiratory distress, loss of consciousness and death.
