The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has attributed a diesel tanker accident on the Apapa–Oshodi Expressway to mechanical failure involving the vehicle’s braking system.
The incident occurred on Monday at the Liverpool Bridge axis near Tin Can Island, where emergency responders moved quickly to prevent what could have turned into a major catastrophe.
Speaking on the development, the Controller General of the agency, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, explained that the tanker lost control while in motion and veered off the carriageway.
She said the service received an emergency alert at about 8:05 a.m. concerning a Mack trailer tanker carrying about 45,000 litres of diesel.
According to Adeseye, the tanker skidded off the bridge and became dangerously suspended on the rail, creating a high-risk situation for both motorists and nearby residents.
She added that the crash led to a limited diesel spill on the bridge, beneath the structure and into a nearby drainage channel, raising fears of a possible fire or environmental hazard.
Firefighters from the Ajegunle and Sari Iganmu fire stations were immediately dispatched to the scene to manage the emergency.
Upon arrival, the responders secured the tanker and stabilised the situation, preventing it from falling and averting any secondary incident.
Adeseye said the remaining diesel was safely transferred from the tanker as part of containment measures, while the area was cordoned off to stop unauthorised access.
Following the successful completion of the operation, the tanker was removed from the location and traffic movement along the expressway was restored.
She praised the firefighters for their swift and professional response, noting that their actions prevented the accident from escalating into a larger disaster.
The controller general concluded by urging motorists, especially operators of heavy-duty vehicles, to prioritise routine vehicle maintenance to reduce the risk of similar incidents.