ABUJA, Nigeria — A tragic oil‑theft incident in Rivers State has left a community mourning. The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Center reported that on Thursday a group of individuals attempted to siphon crude from a loading vessel at an illegal tapping point. While transferring the product into their boats, high‑pressure toxic fumes filled the area, causing at least 37 people to die from inhalation and leaving many others missing.
Details of the incident
The advocacy group said the victims were simultaneously siphoning crude products into their boats when the fumes escaped. The center’s statement emphasized that the fumes were “high‑pressure” and “toxic,” leading to rapid loss of consciousness and death among the workers.
Rivers State police spokesperson Blessing Agabe confirmed the deaths, stating, “The Rivers State Police Command can confirm the deaths. The victims were allegedly attempting to steal crude oil.” The police have opened an investigation but have not released an official death toll beyond the figure supplied by the advocacy group.
Wider context of oil theft in the Niger Delta
Oil theft is a longstanding problem in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, a region that produces the bulk of the nation’s oil. Decades of extraction have contributed to severe poverty and environmental degradation, fostering a black‑market for crude that endangers both lives and ecosystems.
The Nigerian government estimates that oil theft costs the country several billion dollars each year. Recent statements from federal officials indicate a renewed crackdown on illegal tapping, with increased patrols and harsher penalties for those caught.
Community impact and response
Local volunteers and community members have mobilized to search for the missing, providing food, water, and medical assistance to families affected by the disaster. The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Center, which focuses on protecting the environment and supporting vulnerable populations, called for stronger enforcement of anti‑theft laws and greater investment in alternative livelihoods for residents of the Niger Delta.
“We cannot allow the loss of life and the continued destruction of our environment to go unanswered,” said a spokesperson for the group. “The government must act decisively to protect its people and preserve the region’s natural resources.”
Government actions
In response to the incident, the federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources announced plans to deploy additional security personnel to high‑risk areas and to work with state authorities on improving monitoring technology at loading sites. Officials also highlighted ongoing efforts to provide vocational training programs aimed at reducing the economic incentives that drive individuals to engage in illegal oil tapping.
While the investigation continues, authorities have urged anyone with information about the incident or other illegal tapping activities to come forward, emphasizing that cooperation is essential to curbing the cycle of theft, violence, and environmental harm.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
