A potentially dangerous tanker accident along the Ajah Expressway in Lagos State was brought under control after emergency responders prevented a fallen tanker carrying 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit from escalating into a major disaster.
The incident occurred on Ijako Road, inward Oke Oso, along the Ajah Expressway in Epe, after the tanker reportedly suffered a mechanical failure while ascending Ijako Hill.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency said it received a distress alert at about 11:32 a.m. and immediately activated its Whales Team from the Epe Base.
On arrival at the scene, responders found a Mack tanker carrying the petroleum product overturned on its side.
Preliminary findings indicated that the tanker’s propeller detached from its joint, causing the vehicle to lose momentum before it overturned. One of its compartments was also found to be leaking, prompting an immediate containment operation.
LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed that no fatalities or injuries were recorded in the incident.
Before the arrival of LASEMA personnel, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Oke Oso Station, had already commenced containment measures aimed at preventing a possible fire outbreak and limiting environmental hazards.
The emergency response was conducted through a multi-agency operation involving 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.
Traffic management measures were also introduced around the affected section of the road to protect motorists and prevent a secondary accident during the emergency operation.
Given the quantity of PMS involved and the reported leak from one compartment, responders prioritised the safe handling of the petroleum product.
An empty tanker was subsequently mobilised to enable the product to be transferred safely from the fallen vehicle.
LASEMA said the recovery of the overturned tanker would commence after the transloading operation was completed.
Oke-Osanyintolu commended the emergency responders for their coordination and swift intervention, saying the multi-agency response helped prevent the incident from developing into a more serious emergency.
The incident once again highlights the potential danger posed by tanker accidents, particularly when vehicles transporting petroleum products overturn near busy roads.
Authorities have continued to stress the importance of proper vehicle maintenance and adherence to safety measures by tanker operators to reduce the risk of accidents involving highly flammable petroleum products.
In this case, however, the rapid response by emergency agencies ensured that the tanker was contained without reported loss of life or injury.
