At Least 37 Dead in Nigeria After Suspected Oil Theft Attempt
An environmental NGO says at least 37 people died attempting to illegally tap oil from a vessel in southern Nigeria, most from inhaling toxic fumes. Authorities have confirmed fatalities but not released an official toll.
A Nigerian environmental organization, the Youth and Advocacy Centre, reports that at least 37 people died while attempting to illegally siphon oil from a loading vessel in southern Nigeria. According to the group, most victims died after inhaling hazardous fumes. Nigerian authorities have not yet released an official death toll, though they have confirmed a fatal incident involving people apparently trying to steal crude oil.
What happened
The incident occurred overnight on Thursday in Okrika, in Rivers State, part of the oil-rich Niger Delta region in southern Nigeria. The environmental group said it took place at a jetty while a vessel was loading oil from the Indorama Eleme Petrochemical complex via the Port Harcourt Refinery. Those who died were described as suspected oil thieves attempting to siphon crude into boats at an illegal tapping point. The NGO said additional people remain missing, possibly lost in the water, citing information from a network of volunteers.
Police confirmed that an incident occurred but said investigations into the details were ongoing. Rivers State Police spokesperson Blessing Agbabe said the force could confirm deaths had occurred and that victims were allegedly attempting to steal crude oil.
Wider context
Oil theft is a persistent problem in the Niger Delta, the heartland of Nigeria's oil industry — Africa's largest oil producer — where extraction areas are also marked by poverty and environmental degradation. The Nigerian government estimates that oil theft costs the country several billion dollars annually and has been working to curb the practice. Illegal tapping operations also frequently cause leaks and environmental damage.
If confirmed, this would be the deadliest recorded accident linked to attempted oil theft since at least October 2023. However, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said the casualty figures currently circulating remain unverified and that it is coordinating with other security agencies to clarify what happened.
