Friday, September 4, 2026 - No fewer than 37 persons suspected oil thieves have been confirmed de@d after they inhaled a petroleum product believed to be crude oil in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State in the early hours of Thursday, September 3.
According to reports, more than 100 persons, mostly youths,
from Okrika and neighboring communities had stormed Okari jetty to tap
petroleum products from a pipeline that transports petroleum products from
Indorama Eleme Petrochemical facility to the Port Harcourt Refinery to vessels
that regularly came to load products for exports.
Eyewitnesses say while they were busy loading the products
into the boats they came with, a strong smell enveloped the area, causing
several of the youths to collapse.It is said that while some of the victims
collapsed into the river, others who escaped have been taken to the hospital,
where they are battling serious respiratory ailments.
Confirming the incident to newsmen, the spokesperson of the
Rivers state police command, SP Blessing Agabe, said an investigation has been
launched into the unfortunate incident.
‘’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.''
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