Lagos state residents have been warned to stop scooping diesel from the fallen tanker at the Tincan–Liverpool Bridge area of Apapa.
The Lagos State Government issued the warning after the diesel tanker overturned on the bridge, causing fuel to spill.
In an urgent situation report on Monday, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed that the tanker was leaking fuel .
The statement read; “Our attention has been brought to a fallen tanker at the above location, which is leaking fuel. All emergency responders have been activated and are en route to the location.
“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,” the agency warned.
Motorists were also advised to avoid the axis.
“Motorists are advised to take alternative routes. Disaster management plan has been activated. Updates to follow”.
Also reacting, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority confirmed that the tanker was loaded with diesel and that the spill was spreading on the bridge due to damage to the tank.
“There’s a fallen tanker loaded with diesel on top Liverpool Bridge inward Mile 2. The diesel is spreading on the bridge as a result of the damaged tank,” LASTMA said in a statement on its official X handle.
It added that security agencies had been alerted and traffic diverted to reduce the risk to commuters.
“Men of Nigerian Police Force from Area B and other safety agencies have been swiftly notified. Traffic has been diverted to that other side of the bridge for safety measures,” the statement said.
LASTMA urged motorists to comply with traffic officials on ground.
“Please adhere strictly to all instructions from the traffic managers,” it stated.
Residents of Lagos could be seen in a videos circulating on social media scooping diesel from the fallen tanker despite the obvious risk.
