A diesel-laden tanker overturned on the Tincan Liverpool Bridge in Lagos, drawing residents who rushed to scoop fuel, reviving safety concerns over recurring tanker accidents in Nigeria
A tanker conveying diesel has overturned on the Tincan-Liverpool Bridge in the Apapa area of Lagos, with scores of residents and passersby rushing to scoop the inflammable product from beneath the bridge.
Eyewitnesses said the tanker tipped over in the early hours of Monday during rush hour, before traffic management officials arrived at the scene. Footage aired by Channels Television showed people with jerrycans and various containers collecting the spilled diesel.
In an update posted on X, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the road, which was initially cordoned off, has been reopened after emergency response teams contained the spill.
“The road on Liverpool Bridge inward Apapa that was cordoned off has been reopened after the contents were neutralised by officers of the Lagos State Fire Service,” LASTMA said.
The agency added that its officials were managing traffic while awaiting the arrival of a tow truck to remove the tanker.
Earlier, LASTMA had warned motorists that vehicular movement along the corridor was slow, noting that emergency responders were on ground and a counter-flow traffic control system had been activated.
The incident adds to a growing list of similar occurrences across Nigeria, where residents often attempt to scoop fuel from fallen tankers, sometimes with deadly consequences.
In October 2024, more than 100 people reportedly lost their lives after a petrol tanker exploded along the Kano–Hadejia Expressway in Jigawa State, while victims were attempting to collect fuel.
A similar incident occurred in October 2025 in the Essa community along the Agaie–Bida Road in Niger State, where a petrol tanker explosion claimed several lives after locals gathered to scoop fuel from the overturned vehicle.