Published by Osasere Edomwonyi Ikpoba
A major calamity was narrowly averted in the Epe area of Lagos State on Friday when a fully loaded tanker carrying 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) overturned on Ijako Road, inward Oke Oso, along the busy Ajah Expressway. The incident, which occurred while the Mack tanker was climbing the notorious Ijako Hill, sent a wave of panic through the area as residents and motorists feared a potential explosion that could have turned the expressway into an inferno. However, swift intervention by emergency responders ensured that what could have been a catastrophic fire disaster was contained without any loss of life or injury.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Friday by its Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu. According to the agency, the emergency alert was received at exactly 11:32 am, prompting the immediate deployment of the agency’s Whales Team from the Epe Base. In a display of remarkable efficiency, the response team arrived at the scene just four minutes after being dispatched. Upon arrival, responders discovered that the 45,000-litre tanker had toppled onto its side while attempting to ascend the steep gradient of Ijako Hill. Preliminary investigations conducted by LASEMA officials revealed that the tanker’s propeller had detached from its joint, resulting in a sudden loss of momentum that caused the heavy vehicle to lose balance and overturn.
The situation was further complicated by the discovery that one of the tanker’s compartments was leaking, spilling the highly flammable PMS onto the road surface. This development immediately escalated the risk of a fire outbreak, as any stray spark could have ignited the fuel and triggered a massive explosion. Fortunately, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service from the Oke Oso Station had already commenced containment measures even before LASEMA's arrival, working tirelessly to prevent a fire outbreak and mitigate environmental hazards. The coordinated response, managed through the Incident Command System, brought together multiple agencies, including LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and representatives of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
One of the most critical aspects of the operation was the containment of the leaking fuel. Emergency responders immediately initiated safety protocols to secure the area, cordoning off the affected section of the road to prevent motorists and onlookers from coming into contact with the spilled product. Traffic was effectively managed to ensure the safety of motorists while preventing secondary incidents, such as collisions or further spillage. In a strategic move to resolve the situation safely, LASEMA mobilized an empty tanker to the scene for the safe transloading of the remaining petroleum product from the overturned vehicle. This process, which involves transferring the fuel from the damaged tanker to a secure one, is a delicate operation that requires precision and adherence to strict safety standards. Only after the product has been successfully transferred will the recovery of the fallen truck commence.
Oke-Osanyintolu praised the emergency responders for their prompt intervention and professional handling of the incident. He reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property through proactive disaster-risk management and the adoption of internationally recognised emergency-response standards. “There were no reported fatalities or injuries. Prior to LASEMA’s arrival, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Oke Oso Station, had commenced containment measures to prevent fire outbreak and environmental hazard,” the statement read. The Permanent Secretary also urged motorists to cooperate with traffic officials and avoid the immediate area to allow emergency personnel to carry out their duties without obstruction. “Motorists are advised to cooperate with traffic officials and avoid the immediate area to allow unhindered operations,” the agency said.
The incident on Ijako Road highlights the persistent dangers posed by heavy-duty vehicles navigating the hilly terrain of Lagos's outer suburbs. Ijako Hill, a steep incline on the Ajah Expressway, has historically been a notorious spot for truck accidents, particularly for tankers that struggle with the gradient. Mechanical failures, overloading, and poor vehicle maintenance are often cited as contributing factors to such accidents. The frequency of tanker accidents on Lagos roads has raised concerns among stakeholders about the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and routine vehicle inspections for commercial vehicles. In recent months, Lagos has witnessed several tanker-related incidents, including a diesel spill on the Tincan-Liverpool Bridge in Apapa and a gas tanker explosion in Sangotedo that claimed lives and destroyed properties. These recurring incidents underscore the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and public awareness campaigns to prevent such tragedies.
While Friday's incident ended without casualties, it serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of public safety in a megacity like Lagos, where the movement of hazardous materials is a daily reality. The swift response by emergency agencies, however, demonstrated the effectiveness of Lagos's disaster management framework, which has been bolstered by investments in emergency response infrastructure and training. LASEMA's ability to deploy its Whales Team within minutes and coordinate a multi-agency response reflects the state's commitment to protecting its residents from the consequences of industrial accidents.
As the recovery operation continues, LASEMA has assured the public that further updates will be provided as the situation develops. The agency has also urged residents to contact its toll-free emergency numbers, 112 or 767, in case of emergencies. For the residents of Epe and motorists plying the Ajah Expressway, the incident is a moment of relief that the worst was averted, but also a call to remain vigilant. The 45,000-litre tanker that overturned on Ijako Road may not have caused a fire, but it has reignited the conversation about road safety, vehicle maintenance, and the need for stronger regulatory oversight in Nigeria's petroleum transport sector. As the empty tanker prepares to offload the remaining fuel and the damaged vehicle is recovered, one thing is clear: Lagos dodged a bullet on Friday, and the lessons from this near-miss must not be ignored.
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