AT LEAST 37 FEARED DEAD IN RIVERS STATE JETTY TRAGEDY

It was a terrible night in Okrika.

At least 37 people are feared dead after a suspected fuel inhalation incident at Okari Jetty in Okrika Mainland, Rivers State. The incident happened around midnight on Thursday, September 3, 2026.

What happened?  
Reports say people were transferring what locals call "Indorama fuel" from an illegal pipeline point into boats. They were doing it under high pressure when things went wrong.

The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, YEAC-Nigeria, confirmed the deaths. Their Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said the information came from their youth volunteers and human rights monitors in the Niger Delta.

Besides the 37 confirmed dead, several others are still missing. Eyewitnesses said they saw bodies floating on the river, but recovery teams haven’t found them yet. So the actual number of casualties may still rise.

YEAC-Nigeria said everyone affected was at the jetty when the fuel transfer was going on. The high-pressure process likely caused the dangerous exposure that led to the deaths.

CALL FOR INVESTIGATION  
YEAC-Nigeria said the full details have not been independently verified. Because of that, they are calling for a thorough investigation.

They specifically urged NOSDRA - the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency - to carry out a Joint Investigation Visit to Okari Jetty. The goal is to find out exactly what happened, check the environmental and health impact, and stop this from happening again.

WHY THIS MATTERS  
This tragedy shows the daily risk people in the Niger Delta face because of oil activities. Communities living near pipelines and illegal bunkering points have little to no safety protection.

Right now, Okrika is mourning. Families are grieving and asking questions.

We hope authorities respond quickly with proper investigation, recovery efforts, and stronger safety rules so we don’t lose more lives like this.