The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed that a fallen tanker incident at the Tincan Island area, known locally as the Liverpool Bridge, has been successfully resolved by emergency responders, the agency said in a statement on Monday.
Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, said in the Lagos statement that a prompt emergency response and coordinated actions by relevant stakeholders ensured that fuel leakage from the overturned tanker was “swiftly contained.”
Oke-Osanyintolu said all necessary safety measures were implemented to prevent further risks to lives, property and the environment following the tanker’s fall. He said responders acted quickly to limit the potential impact of the incident.
The incident occurred earlier on Monday when a tanker laden with fuel fell in the Tincan Island area, leading to a temporary disruption of traffic along the busy Liverpool Bridge route.
Videos circulating on social media showed residents and passersby near the scene and, in some instances, attempts by people to collect the spilled product before responders secured the location.
In response to the situation, LASEMA and other emergency agencies, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Nigeria Police Force and traffic management officials, were mobilised to the scene. The collaborative effort aimed to avert a possible fire outbreak or explosion, given the highly flammable nature of the fuel.
LASEMA had also warned the public against approaching the scene to scoop any spilled petroleum product or engaging in activities that could ignite a fire, such as lighting flames near the affected area. The agency emphasised that such actions could trigger secondary incidents endangering lives and property.
Traffic on the Liverpool Bridge, a key transport link in the Apapa corridor, was temporarily diverted to allow emergency operations and safe clearance of the site. Commuters were advised to take alternative routes while the situation was being managed.
Authorities said LASEMA’s disaster management plan was activated immediately upon receiving reports of the incident, underscoring the importance of coordinated emergency response mechanisms in mitigating risks from road tanker accidents.
The resolution of the fallen tanker incident highlights ongoing challenges in traffic and road safety in Lagos, particularly in high-density transport corridors, and the critical role of state emergency agencies in rapidly addressing such events to protect lives and infrastructure.
