Okrika Deaths Highlight Toxic Crisis in Niger Delta

Nnimmo Bassey, an environmental activist and President of the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), has raised alarms regarding a toxic environmental crisis in the Niger Delta after at least 37 people died in Okrika, Rivers State. The incident occurred at Okari Jetty when individuals allegedly inhaled toxic fumes while attempting to siphon petroleum products from an illegally tapped pipeline operated by Indorama Eleme Petrochemical Company.

The Rivers State Police Command confirmed the incident, although they have not released an official death toll, and investigations are ongoing. Bassey emphasized the need for an independent investigation to determine the exact cause of death, which could involve inhalation of noxious gases, asphyxiation, or drowning.

He criticized the silence surrounding environmental degradation in the region and drew parallels to ongoing gas emergencies in Bille, where methane and other gases have been bubbling from water sources since October 2025. Bassey called for urgent action from the Federal Government, oil companies, and regulatory agencies to address the long-standing issues of hydrocarbon pollution and deteriorating infrastructure.