37 Youths Suffocate to Death Inhaling Crude Oil Fumes in Rivers

Tragedy has befallen Okrika in Rivers State, where at least 37 young men have died after inhaling toxic fumes from illegally tapped crude oil. The incident, which occurred early Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Okari Jetty, has left the coastal community in mourning and many families desperately searching for missing relatives.

Over 100 individuals, many of them youths from Okrika and neighbouring areas, had gathered at the jetty around midnight in locally made boats. Their aim was to siphon petroleum products from an illegally tapped point on a pipeline. A vessel was also anchored nearby, actively loading the same product for export, according to community sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Suddenly, a powerful, overpowering smell filled the air as the illegal loading was underway. The fumes overwhelmed many of the young men, causing some to collapse into the river while others, struggling for breath, fled the scene. They were later found to be suffering from severe respiratory issues and were rushed to the hospital.

As of Thursday evening, over 37 bodies had been identified as Okrika indigenes. Six other bodies remained unidentified, and many more people were still unaccounted for, signalling the potential for the death toll to rise.

Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene, Executive Director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), confirmed the grim reports. His organisation's network in the Niger Delta indicated that the victims succumbed to what locals refer to as “Indorama Fuel.” These individuals had reportedly connected a pipe to a tapping point on a pipeline that carries products from the Indorama Eleme Petrochemical Company. This pipeline passes through the Port Harcourt Refinery before reaching vessels that typically call for export every two weeks.

The high-pressure pumping of the product, coupled with the simultaneous loading into waiting boats, created an intensely hazardous atmosphere. This is what led to the fatalities, Dumnamene explained. He added that some bodies were seen floating on the river but had not yet been recovered.

'Many of them were choked to death. These are not criminals or anything, but they went out in search of their daily meal.'

Igwe Godswill, Commander of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in Okrika Local Government Area, described the scene as heartbreaking. He explained that the victims were primarily young men seeking a means of survival. They were scooping up petroleum products that had spilled or were floating on the water. They were then overcome by the fumes emanating from the vessel being loaded at the jetty.

Godswill stated that about 10 bodies had been recovered by the time he spoke. Identification was difficult due to the condition of the remains. "We saw about 10 of them. Four were still unrecognisable, while four persons were identified. The rest couldn't be identified because their bodies were badly damaged and their faces were severely affected," he recounted.

He issued a stark warning: without legitimate employment opportunities, residents will continue to risk their lives in dangerous activities like illegal bunkering, despite such horrific tragedies.

YEAC-Nigeria has called for an immediate Joint Investigation Visit to the site by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA). They also urged the company responsible for the vandalised facility to enhance security measures on its pipelines to prevent future incidents. While condemning the act of sabotage, Dumnamene advised youths to stay away from oil and gas infrastructure due to its inherent dangers. He also stressed the urgent need for the government to create alternative livelihood options for displaced persons in the Niger Delta. His suggestions included developing modular refineries, legalising artisanal refining, and establishing initiatives like the Presidential Artisanal Crude Oil Refining Development Initiative and a Niger Delta Industrial Park.

The Civilian JTF Commander echoed this plea, appealing to the Rivers State Government and community leaders to urgently create jobs for the youth in the area. He emphasized that providing legitimate work is the only sustainable solution to prevent such desperate and fatal risks.