The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has contained a tanker accident involving a truck laden with 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) on Ijako Road, inward Oke Oso, along the Ajah Expressway in Epe.
The incident occurred on Friday after a Mack tanker reportedly overturned while ascending Ijako Hill following a mechanical failure.
According to a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the agency received a distress alert at 11:32 a.m. and immediately activated its Whales Team from the Epe Base. The team arrived at the scene just four minutes after dispatch.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the tanker’s propeller detached from its joint, causing the vehicle to lose momentum and overturn on its side.
LASEMA said one of the tanker’s compartments was leaking, prompting emergency responders to immediately commence containment and safety measures to prevent a fire outbreak and environmental hazards.
“There were no reported fatalities or injuries. Prior to LASEMA’s arrival, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Oke Oso Station, had commenced containment measures to prevent fire outbreak and environmental hazard,” the statement said.
The emergency operation is being coordinated under the Incident Command System, with a multi-agency response involving LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps and representatives of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers.
The agencies are working jointly to secure the area, manage traffic and prevent further danger to motorists and other road users.
LASEMA said traffic had been effectively managed to minimise the risk of secondary incidents while emergency operations continued.
An empty tanker has also been mobilised to safely transfer the petroleum product from the overturned truck before recovery operations commence.
“An empty tanker has been mobilized for the safe transloading of the product, after which recovery of the fallen truck will commence,” the agency stated.
Oke-Osanyintolu commended the swift inter-agency response and professionalism displayed by the emergency responders, reiterating the Lagos State Government’s commitment to protecting lives and property through proactive disaster risk reduction and adherence to global best practices in emergency management.
He advised motorists to cooperate with traffic officials and avoid the immediate area to allow emergency operations to continue unhindered.
LASEMA said further updates would be provided as the situation develops.
Residents are also advised to report emergencies through the agency’s toll-free emergency lines 112 or 767.
