By Gloria Drealomalicha
No fewer than 37 suspected oil thieves have reportedly died after inhaling fumes from a petroleum product during an alleged oil theft operation in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, September 3, at Okari Jetty, where more than 100 people, mostly youths from Okrika and neighbouring communities, had reportedly gathered to siphon petroleum products from a pipeline.
The pipeline is said to transport petroleum products from the Indorama Eleme Petrochemical facility to the Port Harcourt Refinery, from where products are loaded onto vessels for export.
According to eyewitness accounts, the youths were transferring the product into boats when a strong smell suddenly spread across the area.
Several of those at the scene reportedly collapsed after inhaling the fumes. While some were said to have fallen into the river, others managed to escape and were taken to hospitals for treatment.
The affected survivors are reportedly battling serious respiratory complications.
The Rivers State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying an investigation had commenced to establish what happened.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Blessing Agabe, said the victims were suspected to have died while attempting to steal crude oil.
“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,” Agabe said.
She added that the police were investigating the incident to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and ascertain the facts.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the dangers associated with illegal oil bunkering and the unauthorised handling of petroleum products.
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