By SUNTV Global Channel | January 19, 2026
Panic and peril unfolded on Monday at the Liverpool Bridge in Apapa, Lagos State, after a diesel-laden tanker overturned and spilled its contents across the roadway, drawing crowds of residents who hurriedly scooped the highly flammable fuel.
Eyewitness videos circulating online showed men and women armed with jerrycans and buckets rushing to the scene to collect diesel from the fallen tanker, seemingly oblivious to the grave danger posed by possible fire or explosion.
Confirming the incident in a statement shared via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) disclosed that the accident prompted an immediate diversion of traffic to the opposite side of the bridge as a safety precaution.
LASTMA said emergency responders were swiftly deployed to prevent a potential disaster. Officials from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and LASTMA were present at the scene, alongside operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
“Their presence is to prevent fire outbreaks, ensure evacuation of the truck, and guarantee the free flow of traffic,” the agency stated.
As of the time of this report, authorities had yet to confirm the cause of the accident, with brake failure not ruled out.
Despite the dangerous situation, no fire outbreak was recorded at the scene. Emergency teams continued containment and evacuation efforts while security operatives attempted to keep residents away from the spilled diesel.
The incident once again highlights the recurring risks associated with fuel tanker accidents in Lagos and the urgent need for stronger public safety awareness and enforcement.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments and bring updates as they emerge.
