The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), in collaboration with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, has prevented a potential fire outbreak following a tanker accident on the Liverpool Bridge, inward Mile 2, Lagos.
The incident involved an articulated Iveco tanker conveying diesel, with registration number RBC 98 XX, which reportedly lost control and overturned on the bridge. The crash caused significant damage to the tanker and led to the spillage of a large quantity of diesel on the carriageway.
The situation was worsened as the highly flammable fuel spilled from the elevated bridge to the area below, drawing some individuals who attempted to scoop the diesel, thereby increasing the risk of fire or explosion.
In a statement, the Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, said operatives of the Authority promptly responded to the distress alert and immediately took control of the scene.
According to him, LASTMA officials dispersed the crowd engaged in the dangerous activity of scooping diesel, cordoned off the affected area, and activated emergency response protocols by alerting security agencies and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.
Taofiq explained that the swift and coordinated intervention of the responders effectively neutralised the imminent danger of a fire outbreak, which could have resulted in loss of lives, environmental degradation, and damage to public infrastructure.
He added that the tanker driver, who sustained serious injuries in the accident, was rescued by LASTMA personnel and rushed to the General Hospital, Apapa, where he is currently receiving medical treatment.
Taofiq further disclosed that officers of the Nigeria Police Force from Area ‘B’ Division, Apapa, provided security support at the scene, assisting with crowd control, traffic management, and the maintenance of law and order.
He noted that an alternative empty tanker was deployed to transload the remaining diesel, while traffic was diverted to the opposite carriageway to ensure public safety and the free flow of vehicles.
Commending the prompt response, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, praised LASTMA and other emergency responders for their professionalism and swift action, stating that their efforts prevented what could have escalated into a major fire disaster.
The Special Adviser also warned members of the public against scooping petroleum products during tanker accidents involving diesel or Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), describing the practice as extremely dangerous and a serious threat to lives and property.
The Lagos State Government, through LASTMA, reaffirmed its commitment to proactive traffic management, rapid emergency response, and the protection of lives and critical infrastructure across the state.
