At least 37 killed during oil theft from ship in Nigeria
Local advocates say victims were poisoned by oil vapours while using hoses to transfer fuel into boats.
Published: 04 September, 2026 21:52. At least 37 people died in Nigeria after inhaling oil fumes while siphoning fuel from a ship, local groups reported.
The Centre for Youth and Environmental Advocacy said the victims were overcome by toxic vapours on 3 September 2026 as they used hoses to draw oil from the vessel and transfer it into containers on small boats.
How the incident unfolded
According to the organisation, the operation involved people boarding or working alongside the ship to extract crude by hose. The fumes from the spilled or agitated oil created a deadly atmosphere that led to multiple fatalities.
Officials and rescue teams were reportedly alerted after bodies and injured persons were found on and near the boats. No further casualty breakdowns or an official death toll were provided beyond the figure reported by the advocacy centre.
Incidents of informal oil theft and hazardous siphoning operations are a recurring danger in parts of Nigeria where crude is illegally tapped from pipelines and vessels. Local groups say such episodes frequently result in fires, poisonings and loss of life.
Investigations into the exact location, the ship involved and any official response were not detailed in the initial statement released on 4 September, 2026.
Photo: press material from the event
