Calamity Averted After Lagos Diesel Tanker Overturns

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Calamity Averted After Lagos Diesel Tanker Overturns

A potential disaster was narrowly avoided in Lagos when a diesel-laden tanker overturned on the busy Liverpool Bridge in Apapa, spilling thousands of litres of highly flammable fuel. Swift intervention by emergency responders prevented what could have been a catastrophic fire or explosion.

On the morning of January 19, 2026, a 33,000-litre articulated Iveco tanker belonging to NIPCO Ltd lost control around 7:45 a.m. and toppled on the elevated Liverpool Bridge inward Mile 2.

The crash caused severe structural damage to the vehicle, leaving its driver unharmed but critically injuring the motor boy, who was rushed to hospital for treatment. Diesel gushed across the carriageway and seeped beneath the bridge, sparking immediate panic among commuters and residents.

Eyewitnesses reported that within minutes of the accident, scores of residents and passersby rushed to the scene with jerrycans, buckets, and basins to scoop the spilled fuel. Viral videos circulating on social media showed crowds gathering dangerously close to the spill, raising fears of an inferno.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) quickly cordoned off the affected section of the bridge, while the Lagos State Fire Service neutralized the volatile substance to prevent ignition.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) issued urgent warnings against scooping fuel, stressing that such reckless behaviour could trigger secondary disasters.

Officials emphasized the extreme danger posed by open flames or sparks near the spill. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu later condemned the actions of residents who risked their lives by attempting to collect diesel from the accident site.

Traffic in the Apapa–Mile 2 corridor was severely disrupted as authorities worked to secure the area. Tow trucks were deployed to remove the wrecked tanker, and the bridge was reopened only after responders confirmed that the spill had been contained.

The incident highlighted the vulnerability of Lagos’s transport infrastructure and the recurring risks posed by fuel tanker accidents in densely populated urban areas.

In the aftermath, safety agencies reiterated calls for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations and better public awareness campaigns to discourage dangerous practices such as fuel scooping.

While tragedy was averted this time, the incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly negligence and desperation can turn an accident into a catastrophe.