Dozens Feared Dead in Illegal Petrol Siphoning in Nigeria's Rivers State

According to local reports, the victims gathered at the waterfront in the early hours of Thursday to scoop petroleum products spilling from an illegally tapped point before their deaths. Community sources and local estimates put the death toll at over 35, while the Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has so far confirmed four corpses connected to the incident. Reacting to the disaster, NSCDC State Commandant Reuben Dennis, through a statement, commiserated with the affected families and announced that a full-scale investigation is underway.

He stated that the command is collaborating with sister agencies to verify the exact casualty figures and probe potential facility access or criminal negligence. The Rivers State NSCDC boss also condemned illegal bunkering and pipeline tapping, warning perpetrators to desist or face the full weight of the law. He noted that the recent deployment of two gunboats by the Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has boosted the command's capacity to patrol vulnerable maritime corridors and secure critical national assets.

He appealed to the public to provide credible and timely information regarding suspicious activities around oil and gas facilities across the state. Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie. The NSCDC is probing criminal negligence in the Okrika tragedy.