Lagos Narrowly Escapes Disaster as 45,000-Litre Petrol Tanker Overturns

Lagos Narrowly Escapes Disaster as 45,000-Litre Petrol Tanker Overturns

A tanker laden with 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, has overturned on Ijako Road, inward Oke Oso, along the Ajah Expressway in Epe, Lagos State.

The incident occurred on Friday when the Mack tanker reportedly suffered a mechanical failure while climbing Ijako Hill.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said it received a distress alert at about 11:32 a.m. and immediately deployed its Whales Team from the Epe Base. The emergency responders arrived at the scene four minutes after receiving the alert.

Preliminary findings showed that the tanker’s propeller detached from its joint, causing the vehicle to lose momentum before overturning, according to LASEMA.

The agency said one of the tanker’s compartments was also leaking, prompting emergency responders to immediately begin containment and safety operations.

LASEMA confirmed that no fatalities or injuries were recorded in the incident.

It said the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Oke Oso Station, had commenced containment efforts before the arrival of LASEMA personnel to prevent a possible fire outbreak and environmental damage.

The emergency response was coordinated under the Incident Command System, involving personnel from LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps and representatives of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers.

The agencies worked together to contain the spill, protect motorists and prevent a secondary accident.

LASEMA said traffic around the area had been effectively managed to ensure the safety of motorists and other road users.

An empty tanker was subsequently mobilised to transfer the petrol from the overturned vehicle before recovery operations could begin.

“An empty tanker has been mobilized for the safe transloading of the product, after which recovery of the fallen truck will commence,” LASEMA said.

The agency’s Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke Osanyintolu, commended the emergency responders for their swift intervention and professionalism.

He reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to protecting lives and property through proactive disaster risk reduction and effective emergency management.

LASEMA urged motorists to cooperate with traffic officials and avoid the immediate area to allow emergency operations to proceed without hindrance.

The agency said further updates would be issued as the recovery operation progresses.

Residents were also advised to contact the emergency services through 112 or 767 whenever necessary.