There was palpable fear on Thursday around Otedola Bridge in Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos, as some residents ignored danger to scoop petroleum product from a scene of a fallen petrol tanker, which spilled its content on the road.
Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred as the tanker laden with 33,000 litres of petrol overturned while moving up the sloppy bridge and fell on the road, spilling its content.
It was further gathered that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service immediately helped in mitigating the petrol spillage in order to curtail possible eventuality.
According to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the tanker trapped a 14-seater bus whose three occupants were safely evacuated.
Speaking on the accident, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, who had alerted the public about the fallen fuel tanker, stated that, ”We received an alert about the above captioned scene and have activated the state emergency response plan. The agency and other first responders intend to remain on high alert until repairs are fully completed.
“Members of the public are cautioned to proceed with extreme caution in and around the area to prevent any form of explosion or ignition from naked flame or other activity.
“The area is being cordoned off and police support is being used to prevent illegal scooping of product, we will continue to provide updates,” he averred.
As of the time of filing this report, some residents were seen trooping to the scene of the spillage with kegs and gallons to scoop the petrol while LASTMA officers had condoned the area to control the heavy flow of traffic on the bridge outward of Lagos.