The community of Poka in Epe was thrown into panic on Wednesday morning after a diesel-laden tanker lost control and somersaulted near the traffic light area, spilling thousands of litres of fuel across the road and raising fears of a major fire outbreak.
Epe Insights reports that emergency responders from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority were immediately deployed to the scene to contain the situation and prevent a disaster.
Officials worked quickly to cordon off the affected area while fire service personnel applied chemical foam to neutralize the spilled diesel. The swift action helped eliminate the risk of ignition and prevented residents from attempting to scoop the fuel, a practice that has previously led to tragic explosions.
Authorities confirmed that no lives were lost in the incident. However, the accident heightened anxiety among residents who have been living under the shadow of repeated crashes involving heavy-duty vehicles along the Epe corridor.
Many residents described the moment of the accident as frightening, noting that the tanker’s sudden loss of control created immediate panic among motorists, traders, and pedestrians around the busy intersection.
The incident has once again triggered calls from community members for stronger regulation and monitoring of articulated trucks operating within the Epe axis. Residents say the increasing frequency of such accidents is turning the corridor into a danger zone.
Over the past weeks, Epe has witnessed a disturbing series of tragedies linked to heavy-duty vehicles, prompting growing concerns about road safety and enforcement.
One of the most shocking incidents occurred when a truck crashed into an auditorium of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, leading to the death of worshippers who were gathered inside the building.
Another fatal accident at Aiyetoro Junction also claimed lives after a truck reportedly lost control and rammed into road users, further intensifying public outrage over the safety of major routes in the area.
Community leaders and residents have repeatedly appealed to authorities to enforce stricter checks on tanker drivers, including speed limits, vehicle inspections, and designated truck routes within residential areas.
They argue that without decisive intervention, more lives could be lost to what many now describe as an emerging “epidemic” of tanker and articulated vehicle crashes.
Road users in the Epe corridor are also urging government agencies to strengthen traffic enforcement and improve road infrastructure to reduce the risk of accidents involving large trucks.
For many residents, Wednesday’s tanker spill in Poka serves as another warning sign of the urgent need for stronger safety measures before the next incident turns deadly.
