4th August, 2026 | News

Rivers Pipeline Incident: 37 Feared Dead, Several Others Missing

At least 37 people are feared dead following a reported petroleum product inhalation incident at Okari Jetty in the Okrika Mainland area of Rivers State, with several others reportedly missing.

The incident allegedly occurred around midnight on Thursday, September 3, 2026, when petroleum products were reportedly being transferred from a pipeline tapping point into boats in the area.

The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), through its Executive Director, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said it received reports from its network of youth volunteers and human rights defenders across the Niger Delta indicating that no fewer than 37 people had died.

According to the organisation, several other people remained unaccounted for, while some bodies were reportedly seen floating on the river but had not been recovered.

YEAC-Nigeria said the victims were allegedly at the site when a petroleum product locally known as “Indorama fuel” was being transferred under high pressure.

However, the organisation stressed that the exact circumstances surrounding the reported deaths had not been independently established.

It called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to the location to determine the cause and extent of the incident.

Investigation Called for Over Rivers Pipeline Incident

YEAC-Nigeria also urged operators of the affected pipeline infrastructure to strengthen security around their facilities and introduce measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The organisation warned residents and youths against unauthorised access to oil and gas infrastructure, noting that exposure to petroleum products and high-pressure pipelines could pose serious risks.

Fyneface also called for government-backed alternative livelihood programmes across the Niger Delta to provide safer economic opportunities for people involved in artisanal oil-related activities.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no official confirmation of the reported death toll. The identities of those reportedly killed and the exact number of missing persons were also unavailable.

Rivers Police Confirm Incident

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command confirmed that an incident had occurred and said an investigation had commenced.

The command’s spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe, said those reportedly involved died while allegedly 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 investigation was aimed at establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident and determining the facts.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over the dangers associated with unauthorised activities around oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta.