37 die while attempting to steal crude oil from pipeline in Rivers State
Port Harcourt, Sept, 2026 – About 37 persons were confirmed to have died after inhaling gas while tapping crude oil in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State on Thursday.
The incident occurred at Okari Jetty in the Okrika Mainland area of the state.
Sources said the victims were attempting to load fuel into a vessel from a ruptured pipeline when the incident happened…
Blessing Agabe Kaborlo, the Spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, confirmed the incident, but said the incident had not been officially reported to the command..
She said reports indicated that the incident happened while the suspects were attempting to steal crude oil from a pipeline.
The police officer said police investigation was ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and ascertain the facts..
