RismadarVoice Reporters
September 3, 2026
More than 10 people are feared dead following an incident involving a suspected petroleum product at a creek in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Initial reports gathered by our reporter suggested that the victims died after inhaling a substance while allegedly loading petroleum products illegally from a pipeline in the area.
The reports claimed that the victims connected a pipe to a tapping point on a pipeline believed to transport petroleum products from a company through the Port Harcourt Refinery to vessels that load the products for export.
It was further alleged that while a vessel was loading the product, the victims were transferring the substance into their boats through the illegal tapping point when they inhaled the product being pumped under high pressure.
However, findings have indicated that some of the victims reportedly lived indicated that the victims may not have been involved in oil theft.
Residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the victims were fishing at a creek near the Beat Four pipeline area when the incident occurred.
According to the residents, it was unlikely that the victims were involved in illegal oil activities because security guards and surveillance personnel are stationed along pipeline routes in the area.
The residents alleged that the victims inhaled the substance following an explosion at the site, while the movement of the river made it difficult for them to escape.
The wife of one of the victims, Arabibia Minanyo, also disputed claims that her husband was involved in illegal oil activities.
Mrs Minanyo, who spoke to journalists in the company of one of her sons, said the incident occurred two days ago.
She said her husband had already been buried according to the customs of the community.
The family also denied allegations that their son was involved in illegal oil activities.
An elder brother of another victim similarly narrated how his younger brother died in the incident.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, while the exact number of casualties has yet to be officially confirmed.
Authorities have yet to issue a detailed statement explaining what caused the incident or confirming the identities and number of victims.
