‘Stop It Now’: Lagos Warning as Residents Scoop Fuel from Fallen Tanker
LAGOS — The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has issued an urgent “red alert” to residents of the Iba area, warning them to immediately evacuate the scene of a fallen petrol tanker where hundreds are reportedly scooping spilled fuel.
The incident occurred early Monday morning along the Igando-Iba Expressway, just days after a similar tragedy was averted in the state.
Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, released a frantic statement pleading with locals to avoid the “death trap.” She confirmed that emergency responders are battling to secure the area but are facing resistance from crowds desperate to siphon the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
A Ticking Time Bomb
Eyewitnesses report that the tanker, fully loaded with 45,000 liters of petrol, lost control and overturned near the Igando General Hospital axis, spilling its contents into the drainage and onto the road.
Rather than fleeing for safety, residents—including women and children—rushed to the scene with kegs, buckets, and polythene bags to scoop the highly flammable liquid.
“This is suicidal behavior,” Adeseye warned. “One spark—from a phone, a metal bucket dragging on the floor, or a passing vehicle—is all it takes to incinerate hundreds of people in seconds. We are pleading with community leaders to intervene.”
Emergency Response Underway
Firefighters from the Igando and Ojo Fire Stations have deployed a chemical foam blanket to suppress the fuel’s volatility. However, the sheer density of the crowd is hampering their operations.
Police operatives have also arrived at the scene to disperse the mob and cordon off the perimeter.
Echoes of Past Tragedies
The Lagos State Government has repeatedly warned against fuel scooping, a dangerous practice that has claimed thousands of lives in Nigeria’s history.
“We cannot afford another mass burial,” the statement added. “If you are in the Iba, Igando, or Ojo axis, please stay clear of the expressway until we contain the spill.”
Traffic has been diverted from the affected route, causing a significant gridlock as commuters head out for the week.