# Niger Delta illegal oil siphoning incident > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/niger-delta-illegal-oil-siphoning-incident > Updated: 2026-09-05T18:47:10.000Z. Sources: 30. Developments: 2. On September 3, 2026, a fatal incident occurred at Okari Jetty in the Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Reports from the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) indicated that over 200 youths gathered in wooden boats to siphon petroleum products from a pipeline connecting the Indorama Eleme Petrochemical facility to the Port Harcourt Refinery. The high-pressure release of toxic fumes during the operation caused many to collapse, with some reportedly drowning in the river. Initial reports suggested a death toll of at least 37, with some local accounts claiming as many as 43 fatalities. However, a dispute has emerged regarding these figures. While YEAC-Nigeria maintains its casualty count, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) stated that only four bodies had been recovered. Indorama has denied the incident took place along its pipeline corridor, describing the allegations as “blatant lies.” YEAC-Nigeria has countered this by stating they possess photographic and video evidence. Security forces have since been deployed to the area and have restricted media access to the site. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-05: Niger Delta pipeline incident sparks dispute over death toll Conflicting reports have emerged over a pipeline incident in Nigeria's Rivers State, with an NGO reporting 37 deaths from toxic fumes during suspected oil theft, while Indorama and security forces dispute the's 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/niger-delta-pipeline-incident-sparks-dispute-over-death-toll ### 2026-09-03: Rivers State: At least 37 dead in illegal oil siphoning tragedy At least 37 people died after inhaling toxic fumes during an illegal oil siphoning attempt at Okari Jetty in Rivers State, Nigeria. Many others remain missing following the midnight incident. 26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rivers-state-at-least-37-suspected-oil-thieves-die-from-toxic-fumes --- Cite as: Niger Delta illegal oil siphoning incident. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/niger-delta-illegal-oil-siphoning-incident