Residents scoop diesel as tanker overturns on Lagos bridge

A diesel-laden tanker has overturned on the Tincan Liverpool Bridge in Apapa, Lagos, drawing crowds of residents and passersby who scooped the inflammable product from beneath the bridge.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday during rush hour. Eyewitnesses said traffic management officials were yet to arrive at the scene at the time of reporting.

Footage aired by Channels Television showed residents with jerrycans and other containers collecting diesel from the fallen tanker.

In a post on X, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority said the section of the road earlier cordoned off had been reopened after the diesel was neutralised by officials of the Lagos State Fire Service.

“The road on Liverpool Bridge inward Apapa that was cordoned off has been reopened after the contents were neutralised by men of the Lagos State Fire Service,” LASTMA said.

“LASTMA officials are on ground managing traffic while awaiting the arrival of a tow truck.”

Earlier, the agency had warned motorists of slow movement along the corridor, noting that emergency responders were working at the scene and a counterflow traffic system had been introduced.

The incident adds to a growing list of cases where residents attempt to scoop fuel from fallen tankers in Nigeria, sometimes with fatal consequences.

In October 2024, more than 100 people died after a petrol tanker exploded on the Kano–Hadejia expressway in Jigawa State. Most of the victims were reportedly scooping fuel after the tanker overturned.

Similarly, in October 2025, a petrol tanker explosion in the Essa community along the Agaie–Bida road in Niger State claimed several lives after residents rushed to collect fuel from the vehicle.