A diesel-laden tanker overturned early Monday on the Liverpool Bridge in the Apapa area of Lagos, triggering a dangerous scramble as residents rushed to the scene to collect spilled fuel.
The tanker, reportedly carrying about 45,000 litres of diesel, lost balance and fell on the bridge, causing its contents to leak onto the roadway. Despite the obvious risks, videos circulating online showed people arriving with jerrycans, buckets, and other containers to scoop the fuel directly from the damaged truck.
Emergency responders were quickly alerted to the incident. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed that officials of the Lagos State Fire Service, alongside rescue teams and police officers from Area B Command, were deployed to prevent a possible explosion or fire outbreak.
“There is a fallen tanker conveying diesel on Liverpool Bridge inward Mile 2,” LASTMA said in a statement shared on X. “The tank was ruptured, leading to diesel spilling across the bridge. Traffic has been redirected, and safety agencies are on ground managing the situation.”
To minimise risk, the affected section of the bridge was temporarily closed, and traffic was diverted using a counterflow system. Motorists were advised to expect delays as emergency workers worked to contain the spill and stabilise the area.
LASTMA later announced that the spilled diesel had been neutralised by the fire service, allowing the previously cordoned-off lane to be reopened. Traffic officials remain on site to manage congestion while waiting for a tow truck to evacuate the overturned tanker.
The incident once again highlights the recurring danger of fuel scooping in Nigeria. According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), at least 411 people lost their lives across the country in 2024 while attempting to collect fuel from fallen tankers.
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The FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, previously disclosed that states such as Plateau, Abia, Kaduna, Kwara, and Ondo recorded the highest number of such fatalities. One of the deadliest accidents occurred in Jebba, Kwara State, where no fewer than 30 people died during a fuel scooping incident.
