A fuel tanker conveying 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) overturned on Ijako Road, inward Oke Oso, along the Ajah Expressway in Epe, Lagos State.
Epe Insights reports that the incident occurred on Friday while the Mack tanker was reportedly ascending Ijako Hill when a mechanical failure caused it to lose momentum and overturn.
The accident caused disruption to traffic in the area and prompted an immediate emergency response from relevant Lagos State agencies.
According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), a distress alert was received at about 11:32am.
The agency immediately deployed its Whales Team from the Epe Base to the scene.
LASEMA said its team arrived at the location approximately four minutes after receiving the alert.
Preliminary findings indicated that the tanker suffered a mechanical problem while ascending the hill.
The tanker’s propeller reportedly detached from its joint, causing the vehicle to lose momentum before falling on its side.
One of the tanker’s compartments was also found to be leaking petroleum product.
The leakage raised concerns about a possible fire outbreak and environmental hazards at the accident scene.
Emergency responders therefore commenced immediate containment measures to reduce the risks associated with the spilled product.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service from the Oke Oso Station had already begun containment operations before the arrival of the LASEMA team.
Fortunately, no fatalities or injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
The absence of casualties was a major relief, considering the quantity of petroleum product being transported by the overturned tanker.
The emergency response involved several government agencies and relevant stakeholders.
Personnel from LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority were deployed to the scene.
Members of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps also participated in the emergency operation.
Representatives of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers were equally present at the scene.
The agencies worked together under the Incident Command System to manage the situation.
Their immediate priority was to contain the leaking petroleum product and prevent a secondary disaster.
Traffic management was also introduced to protect motorists and other road users from potential danger.
The emergency agencies worked to prevent the incident from escalating into a major fire or environmental emergency.
LASEMA explained that the petroleum product would have to be safely transferred before the overturned tanker could be recovered.
An empty tanker was subsequently mobilised to facilitate the transloading operation.
The product was to be transferred from the damaged tanker into the empty tanker under controlled emergency procedures.
LASEMA stated that recovery of the overturned truck would commence after the fuel had been safely transferred.
The arrangement was aimed at reducing the risks associated with moving or recovering a tanker still containing a large quantity of PMS.
The incident once again highlights the risks associated with the transportation of petroleum products on busy roads.
Mechanical failures involving fuel tankers can pose serious risks to motorists, residents and surrounding communities.
The location of the incident on Ijako Road also required careful traffic management to prevent additional accidents.
Emergency responders therefore maintained traffic control while containment and recovery operations were underway.
LASEMA commended the emergency responders involved in the operation for their swift intervention.
The agency also reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to protecting lives and property during emergencies.
Officials stressed the importance of proactive disaster risk reduction and effective emergency management.
The response to the Epe tanker accident demonstrated the need for rapid coordination among emergency agencies during incidents involving petroleum products.
The quick arrival of the LASEMA team from its Epe Base also helped facilitate the containment operation.
For residents and road users in Epe, the incident serves as another reminder of the importance of caution around overturned tankers carrying petroleum products.
Motorists are expected to exercise caution around emergency scenes and comply with instructions from traffic and safety officials.
The successful containment effort also helped reduce the possibility of a more serious incident occurring at the location.
Although the tanker suffered significant disruption, authorities confirmed that no deaths or injuries were recorded.
The next phase of the operation involved safely transferring the remaining petroleum product and recovering the overturned vehicle.
The coordinated response by the various agencies was crucial to managing the situation.
LASEMA and other emergency responders are expected to continue prioritising the safety of residents and motorists during such incidents.
The Epe tanker accident therefore ended without reported casualties, while emergency authorities worked to contain the fuel leak and restore normal traffic conditions.
The incident also reinforces the importance of regular maintenance and mechanical checks for tankers transporting petroleum products.
Ensuring that commercial tankers are mechanically sound remains essential to reducing the risk of accidents on Lagos roads.
As recovery operations continue, the coordinated intervention by Lagos State emergency agencies has helped prevent the incident from developing into a larger disaster.
For Epe residents, the prompt response provided reassurance that emergency agencies remain prepared to respond to road and tanker-related incidents within the area.
