At least 37 people suspected of engaging in illegal oil activities have reportedly died after inhaling a hazardous petroleum substance at a jetty in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The incident reportedly happened in the early hours of Thursday at Okari Jetty, Okrika Mainland, when youths allegedly attempted to collect petroleum products from an illegally tapped pipeline.
Several other persons were said to be missing after some of the victims reportedly collapsed while the product was being transferred into waiting boats.
A community source said more than 100 youths from Okrika and surrounding communities had converged on the jetty in locally made boats when a strong and unusual odour reportedly spread through the area.
According to the source, some of the affected persons collapsed after inhaling the substance, while others reportedly fell into the river. Those who survived were said to have developed severe breathing difficulties and were taken to medical facilities for treatment.
The source said, “As I speak to you, over 37 bodies were identified as Okrika people, while six others are yet to be identified. Many are still missing.”
The Executive Director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, confirmed the incident in a statement, saying reports received through the organisation’s Niger Delta network indicated that at least 37 suspected oil thieves had died after inhaling what locals referred to as “Indorama fuel.”
Dumnamene said the victims allegedly connected a pipe to an unauthorised tapping point on a pipeline conveying petroleum products from the Indorama Eleme Petrochemical facility through the Port Harcourt Refinery to vessels loading products for export.
He explained that the incident occurred while a vessel was receiving the product and the youths were simultaneously transferring it into their boats, exposing them to the substance being pumped under high pressure.
Dumnamene said some corpses had reportedly been sighted floating on the river, although recovery efforts were yet to retrieve all of them.
He called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency to conduct an immediate Joint Investigation Visit to the site and urged the affected company to improve security around its pipeline infrastructure.
The advocacy group also warned youths against tampering with oil facilities, citing the dangers associated with high-pressure petroleum products.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying those involved were allegedly attempting to steal crude oil.
The command’s spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said no formal complaint had been lodged but disclosed that an investigation had commenced to determine what happened.
Agabe said, “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.
“Investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and ascertain the facts.”
Source: Veracity
Photo Credit: Google
