Rivers Oil Incident Leaves 37 Dead as Toxic Fumes Hit Okrika Jetty

A petroleum-related tragedy at Okari Jetty in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State has left at least 37 people dead after they reportedly inhaled toxic fumes.

The incident occurred around midnight on Thursday, September 3, 2026, in the Okrika Mainland area.

Reports said youths from Okrika and neighbouring communities had gathered at the jetty in locally made boats.

The number of people at the location was substantial.

A community source told PUNCH that more than 100 people had gone to the jetty.

A vessel was also reportedly anchored nearby while petroleum products were being loaded.

The situation changed suddenly when a strong smell spread through the area.

People reportedly began collapsing after inhaling the fumes.

Some fell into the river.

Others reportedly escaped from the immediate area but later suffered respiratory problems and were taken for treatment.

The community source said at least 37 bodies were identified as Okrika residents.

Six other bodies had not been identified, while several people were still missing.

The deaths were also confirmed by the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre.

YEAC-Nigeria Executive Director Fyneface Dumnamene said the organisation received reports through its network in the Niger Delta.

He said no fewer than 37 people suspected of involvement in illegal oil activities died after inhaling a petroleum product locally called “Indorama fuel.”

Dumnamene said the product was allegedly being obtained through an illegal tapping point.

He said people were transferring the petroleum product into waiting boats while a vessel was simultaneously loading products.

According to his account, the tapping point was connected to a pipeline carrying petroleum products from the Indorama Eleme Petrochemical area through the Port Harcourt Refinery towards vessels.

He said the people at the jetty were overwhelmed by the fumes.

Dumnamene also said some bodies had been seen floating in the river and had yet to be recovered.

He called for an investigation into the incident.

The environmental advocate specifically urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency to conduct a joint investigation at the site.

He also urged the company whose facilities were allegedly vandalised to improve security around its pipelines.

Dumnamene warned young people about the dangers associated with oil and gas infrastructure.

He also called for alternative livelihoods and employment opportunities in Niger Delta communities.

The Rivers State Police Command confirmed the incident and said investigations had commenced.

Police spokesperson Blessing Agabe said the victims were reportedly attempting to steal crude oil.

She said the command had not received an official complaint but was investigating the incident.

However, the Civilian JTF commander in Okrika gave a different account.

Igwe Godswill said the victims had gone to scoop petroleum products that had spilled into the river.

He said they were overcome by fumes from a vessel loading petroleum products at the jetty.

Godswill said many of the victims were young people searching for ways to earn a living.

He appealed to the government and community leaders to create more jobs.

He argued that preventing dangerous activities without providing alternative sources of income could leave some young people vulnerable to similar risks.

Godswill also reported that about 10 bodies had been recovered when he spoke.

He said some of the remains could not immediately be identified because of their condition.

The competing accounts are now part of the broader questions surrounding the incident.

Police described the victims as suspected crude oil thieves.

The Civilian JTF commander said they were collecting petroleum products that had spilled into the river.

The environmental group described the incident as occurring during illegal oil tapping.

The investigation is expected to establish the exact circumstances.

The deaths have also highlighted the risks surrounding Nigeria’s oil-producing communities.

Illegal tapping and petroleum theft can bring people into direct contact with hazardous substances and infrastructure.

The consequences can be fatal when fumes accumulate in confined or poorly ventilated areas.

The Okrika incident also involved a waterway, with some victims reportedly falling into the river after collapsing.

That has complicated the recovery operation and contributed to reports of missing persons.

At the time of publication, at least 37 people were reported dead.

The status of several other people remained unclear.

Authorities and community members were therefore expected to continue searching for those missing and identifying recovered bodies.

The tragedy has also prompted calls for better protection of pipelines and petroleum facilities.

Environmental advocates have argued that security measures should be accompanied by economic opportunities for people living in oil-producing communities.

The incident demonstrates the intersection between poverty, illegal petroleum activities and safety risks in parts of the Niger Delta.

However, the exact circumstances must still be established by investigators.

The police have said their investigation is ongoing.

As authorities work to determine what caused the mass deaths, families and community members continue to await information about missing relatives.

For Okrika, the immediate priorities are recovery, identification, medical care for survivors and clarification of how a petroleum-loading operation turned into a tragedy that claimed at least 37 lives.