A diesel-laden tanker has overturned on the Tincan Liverpool Bridge, in the Apapa area of Lagos, with hordes of residents and passersby scooping the inflammable product from beneath the bridge.
Eyewitnesses say the tanker tipped over in the early hours of Monday during rush hour, with road traffic management personnel yet to arrive at the scene at the time of reporting.
A viral clip showed locals grabbing jerrycans and containers of all shapes and sizes as they joined in on the act.
In a post on X, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the road leading to the bridge had been cordoned off but has now been reopened.
“The road on Liverpool bridge inward Apapa that was cordoned off has been reopened after the contents have been neutralised by men of Lagos State Fire Service,” the agency said.
“LASTMA officials are doing the needful and traffic is expected to move better, while we await the arrival of a tow truck.”
Earlier, the agency had said: “Men of Lagos State Fire service and rescue team are on ground doing the needful. Pending the time of the recovery, Liverpool bridge has been cordoned off and Counter flow method of traffic control is in use. Vehicular movement along the corridor is very slow. Plan your movement.”
This is not the first time residents would be scooping fuel from a fallen tanker in Nigeria — with sometimes fatal consequences to boot.
In October 2024, over 100 people were confirmed dead after a petrol-laden tanker exploded at the Kano-Hadejia expressway in Jigawa state.
Most of the victims were trying to scoop petrol from the tanker after it tipped over.
In October 2025, a petrol tanker exploded in the Essa community, along the Agaie-Bida road in the Katcha LGA of Niger state, claiming the lives of many residents.
Locals had arrived on the scene to fetch petrol after the tanker tumbled.
