A 45,000-litre diesel tanker has overturned on the Tincan Liverpool Bridge outward Apapa, Tin Can Island area of Lagos, triggering a dangerous scramble as residents and passersby were seen scooping the inflammable product from beneath the bridge.
Eyewitnesses said the tanker tipped over in the early hours of Monday during rush hour, with officials of road traffic management yet to arrive at the scene at the time the incident occurred.
Footage obtained by Channels Television showed locals arriving with jerrycans and containers of various shapes and sizes, scooping diesel leaking from the fallen tanker despite the obvious risk of fire or explosion.
Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said it was currently salvaging the tanker and had prevented a secondary incident.
“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is currently salvaging a 45,000 diesel tanker which upturned at Liverpool Bridge outward Apapa, Tin Can Island, Lagos,” the agency said.
“The tanker has been saved from secondary incident while security agents are doing their best to curtail the scooping crowd.”
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) also confirmed that emergency response protocols had been activated following the incident.
“Our attention has been brought to a fallen tanker at above location which is leaking fuel. All emergency responders have been activated and are en route to the location,” LASEMA said in a statement.
“Members of the public are urged to exercise EXTREME CAUTION to avoid any secondary incident from scooping product or lighting any flame near the area. Motorists are advised to take alternative routes.
“Disaster management plan has been activated. Updates to follow.”
The statement was signed by the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.
In an update posted on X, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the road leading to the bridge had initially been cordoned off but was later reopened after emergency operations.
“The road on Liverpool Bridge inward Apapa that was cordoned off has been reopened after the contents have been neutralised by men of Lagos State Fire Service,” LASTMA said.
The agency added, “LASTMA officials are doing the needful and traffic is expected to move better, while we await the arrival of a tow truck.”
Earlier, LASTMA had warned motorists of severe traffic disruption along the corridor, noting that emergency responders were already on ground.
“Men of Lagos State Fire Service and rescue team are on ground doing the needful. Pending the time of the recovery, Liverpool Bridge has been cordoned off and counter-flow method of traffic control is in use. Vehicular movement along the corridor is very slow. Plan your movement,” the statement read.
The incident has once again raised concerns over the recurring and often deadly practice of scooping fuel from fallen tankers across Nigeria.
In October 2024, more than 100 people were confirmed dead after a petrol-laden tanker exploded along the Kano–Hadejia Expressway in Jigawa State. Most of the victims were reportedly attempting to scoop petrol from the tanker after it tipped over.
Similarly, in October 2025, a petrol tanker exploded in the Essa community along the Agaie–Bida Road in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State, killing many residents who had gathered at the scene to fetch fuel after the tanker tumbled.
Authorities have repeatedly warned members of the public to stay away from fallen tankers, stressing the high risk of explosions, fires, and loss of life.
Boluwatife Enome
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