Dozens Dead in Nigeria After Toxic Gas Inhalation During Suspected Fuel Theft

The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC) reported that volunteers and human‑rights defenders documented fatalities in Okrika after residents inhaled a locally‑known “Indorama fuel,” a refined petroleum product commonly referred to as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has called on the public and media to rely on verified facts while collaborating with other security agencies to determine the circumstances of the incident early Thursday.

The agency condemned illegal tapping and siphoning, warning that such practices endanger lives, the environment, and the economy.

Advocacy groups have likewise blamed these illegal activities for contributing to environmental degradation.

In recent years, the government has intensified its efforts to combat oil theft.

On Thursday, the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, warned perpetrators that there is “no hiding place” from the navy, which patrols the waterways and coastal regions of the Niger Delta.

“Their days are numbered, and if we catch you, we will ensure you are brought to justice,” he stated in an interview with Nigerian broadcaster Channels TV.

As the Nigerian navy bolsters maritime security operations, the military and other agencies have launched campaigns against oil thieves, who frequently hide in the region’s dense mangrove forests.

Nigeria is seeking to boost oil production after years of challenges stemming from theft, insecurity, and underinvestment.

The nation targets a production increase to approximately three million barrels per day by 2030, relying on improved security and reforms to attract new investment.

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