Nigeria, Sept. 5 -- Environmentalist and climate justice advocate Nnimmo Bassey has called for an independent investigation into the deaths of at least 37 people reportedly involved in an illegal oil siphoning operation in Okrika, Rivers State.

The police in Rivers State confirmed the deaths but said they will continue to investigate the details.

"The Rivers State Police Command can confirm the deaths. The victims were allegedly attempting to steal crude oil," the Command spokesperson, Blessing Agbabe, told DW News, a German international broadcast station.

Mr Bassey, in a commentary titled "Gassing the Niger Delta," said the incident should prompt urgent action to address longstanding environmental and safety concerns in the oil-produ...