The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), in collaboration with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, has averted 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 accident resulted in extensive damage to the tanker and the spillage of large volumes of diesel on the carriageway.
The situation was further compounded as the highly flammable fuel spilled from the elevated bridge to the area below, attracting some individuals who attempted to scoop the diesel, thereby heightening the risk of an explosion or fire.
In a statement, the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, said operatives of the Authority swiftly responded to the emergency alert and took immediate control of the situation.
“LASTMA personnel promptly dispersed the crowd engaged in the dangerous act 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 stated.
He noted that the timely intervention of the responders effectively neutralised the imminent threat of a fire outbreak, which could have resulted in serious loss of lives, environmental damage, and destruction of public infrastructure.
Taofiq added that the tanker driver, who sustained severe injuries during the accident, was rescued by LASTMA officials and rushed to the General Hospital, Apapa, where he is currently receiving medical attention.
He 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 regulation, and the maintenance of order.
According to him, an alternative empty tanker was deployed to transload the remaining diesel, while LASTMA diverted traffic to the opposite carriageway to ensure public safety and the free flow of vehicles.
Commending the coordinated 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, noting that their efforts prevented what could have escalated into a major fire disaster.
Taofiq also quoted the Special Adviser as warning 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 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.
