Residents of Apapa, Lagos, were seen scooping diesel from an overturned tanker on the Tincan–Liverpool Bridge, inward Mile 2, despite repeated warnings from authorities about the risk of a fire outbreak. The diesel-laden tanker overturned, spilling its contents onto the road and causing significant disruption along the busy corridor.
Residents Risk Lives to Collect Spilled Diesel
Videos circulating online showed several residents and passersby gathering around the fallen tanker with jerrycans, buckets, and other containers, collecting the spilled diesel from the scene. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed that the tanker was loaded with diesel and that the product spread across the bridge after the tank was damaged. The agency said traffic was diverted as emergency teams moved in to manage the situation.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) also confirmed that emergency responders were activated following the incident. LASEMA warned members of the public against scooping the spilled product or engaging in any activity that could trigger a secondary disaster.
Emergency Response and Crowd Control
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service later moved to secure the scene and prevent further danger, while security agencies worked to control the crowd gathering around the tanker. Authorities had earlier warned residents against approaching the scene because of the risk of a fire outbreak.
Fuel scooping after tanker accidents has repeatedly resulted in deadly incidents across Nigeria. Authorities have consistently warned that leaked petroleum products can ignite from sources such as flames, sparks, or other ignition points, turning rescue scenes into disaster zones.
Past Incidents Highlight Dangers
In October 2024, more than 100 people were killed in Jigawa State after a petrol tanker explosion involving residents who had gathered to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker. That incident underscored the lethal consequences of such actions.
No fire outbreak was reported in the Apapa incident, and emergency responders were able to contain the situation. The prompt response of LASTMA, LASEMA, and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service prevented what could have been a catastrophic outcome, and traffic was gradually restored along the Tincan–Liverpool Bridge corridor.
