A fuel tanker carrying petrol overturned on the Tincan Liverpool Bridge in Apapa, Lagos, on Monday, triggering panic as residents and commuters rushed to scoop fuel from the fallen truck.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred in the early hours during peak traffic, leading to a major fuel spill beneath the bridge and causing traffic congestion in the area.
Videos from the scene showed large crowds with jerrycans, buckets, and other containers struggling to collect the leaking petrol.
Despite the serious risk of fire, some individuals were seen placing containers directly under the overturned tanker, while others waded through the spilled fuel to gather as much as possible.
Confirming the incident in a statement shared on X, the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) said traffic had been diverted to the opposite side of the bridge as a safety precaution.
LASTMA added that emergency responders, including the Lagos State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and its own officials, were deployed to the scene to prevent a possible disaster.
Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) were also present to secure the area.
According to the agency, their intervention is aimed at preventing fire outbreaks, clearing the tanker, and ensuring the smooth flow of traffic.