Lagos Residents Risk Lives Scooping Diesel From Overturned Tanker in Apapa

Panic and desperation unfolded in Apapa, Lagos, on Sunday morning after a diesel tanker overturned on the Liverpool Bridge, drawing scores of residents who rushed to scoop the leaking fuel.

Eyewitness videos circulating online show men and women armed with jerrycans, buckets, and plastic containers, scrambling around the fallen tanker in a dangerous bid to collect as much diesel as possible. Despite the obvious risk of fire or explosion, many ignored safety warnings, prioritizing the opportunity to secure fuel.

Confirming the incident in a statement shared on X, the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) announced that traffic had been diverted to the opposite side of the bridge to ensure public safety.

LASTMA disclosed that emergency responders were immediately deployed to the scene to prevent a tragedy. These include operatives of the Lagos State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and LASTMA officials.

Also present were personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).

According to the agency, their coordinated presence is aimed at preventing fire outbreaks, evacuating the damaged tanker, and restoring the free flow of traffic in the busy port corridor.

The incident has sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians expressing concern over the growing trend of citizens risking their lives during fuel related accidents. Observers attribute such behavior to economic hardship and the high cost of energy products, which continue to push residents into dangerous situations.

Authorities have urged the public to stay away from accident scenes involving flammable substances, warning that a single spark could result in massive loss of life.