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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State Command, has confirmed that four corpses have been sighted following the recent incident at Jetty Creeks in Okrika Local Government Area, where individuals were allegedly attempting to scoop or recover petroleum products.
The Command said an undercover team deployed to the area after the incident carried out further surveillance and assessment, leading to the discovery of the four bodies believed to be connected to the incident.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Command's spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Olufemi Ayodele, the NSCDC said investigations were ongoing to verify the identities of the victims and establish the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
According to the statement, one of the victims earlier identified as Taribo Levia has already been buried in line with the traditional customs of the community.
The other deceased persons reportedly sighted were identified as Ogoloma Tamunoene Fred, Amiso and Belema Siyerminma, all said to be from Ngabiri.
The Command clarified that casualty figures initially circulated after the incident had not been fully verified and may have been exaggerated, stressing that it would rely on findings from its ongoing field assessment and investigation to determine the actual number of victims.
The NSCDC also explained that although security agencies, including the Operation Delta Safe Joint Task Force, provide security around the facility, the location where the incident occurred is considerably outside the Joint Task Force's designated Area of Responsibility.
The Rivers State Commandant said the Corps had intensified investigations in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident, identify all victims and ascertain whether any other persons remain missing.
The Command warned residents against vandalising petroleum infrastructure, illegally accessing oil facilities or engaging in the dangerous practice of scooping petroleum products, describing such acts as criminal and capable of causing deaths, serious injuries and environmental pollution.
It also urged residents of oil-producing and riverine communities to report suspicious activities around critical national assets to security agencies.
"We remain committed to protecting Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in Rivers State and will continue to work with sister security agencies and relevant stakeholders to safeguard lives and property," the statement said.NSCDC Confirms Four Bodies Recovered in Rivers Jetty Creeks Incident
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State Command, has confirmed that four corpses have been sighted following the recent incident at Jetty Creeks in Okrika Local Government Area, where individuals were allegedly attempting to scoop or recover petroleum products.
The Command said an undercover team deployed to the area after the incident carried out further surveillance and assessment, leading to the discovery of the four bodies believed to be connected to the incident.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Command's spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Olufemi Ayodele, the NSCDC said investigations were ongoing to verify the identities of the victims and establish the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
According to the statement, one of the victims earlier identified as Taribo Levia has already been buried in line with the traditional customs of the community.
The other deceased persons reportedly sighted were identified as Ogoloma Tamunoene Fred, Amiso and Belema Siyerminma, all said to be from Ngabiri.
The Command clarified that casualty figures initially circulated after the incident had not been fully verified and may have been exaggerated, stressing that it would rely on findings from its ongoing field assessment and investigation to determine the actual number of victims.
The NSCDC also explained that although security agencies, including the Operation Delta Safe Joint Task Force, provide security around the facility, the location where the incident occurred is considerably outside the Joint Task Force's designated Area of Responsibility.
The Rivers State Commandant said the Corps had intensified investigations in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident, identify all victims and ascertain whether any other persons remain missing.
The Command warned residents against vandalising petroleum infrastructure, illegally accessing oil facilities or engaging in the dangerous practice of scooping petroleum products, describing such acts as criminal and capable of causing deaths, serious injuries and environmental pollution.
It also urged residents of oil-producing and riverine communities to report suspicious activities around critical national assets to security agencies.
"We remain committed to protecting Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in Rivers State and will continue to work with sister security agencies and relevant stakeholders to safeguard lives and property," the statement said.
