Danger! Residents scoop diesel as tanker falls on Otedola bridge 

CITIZENS COMPASS — A major fire disaster was averted on Thursday, October 12, 2023, on Otedola bridge, by the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, as people trooped out with various containers to scoop petroleum product after a truck overturned spilling its contents.

The occupants of a private bus reportedly escaped death by whiskers when their bis was trapped by the 33,000 litres tanker. 

It was gathered that the accident occurred at day time  when the tanker conveying diesel outward Capital Oil Filling Station, Lagos Ibadan Expressway, Berger, lost control and overturned on the Bridge. 

The accident impeded free flow of vehicular movement for houses. 

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye and spokesperson, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq confirmed the accident to Citizens Compass. 

According to the Permanent Secretary, “We received an alert about the 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.”

According to the Director,” The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is currently mitigating spillage from a 33,000 liters tanker which reported accidentally lost control while conveying Diesel outward Capital Oil Filling Station, Lagos Ibadan Expressway, Berger, Lagos impeding movement at this hour.

“The tanker is also trapping a 14 seater company’s bus whose three occupants have been safely evacuated with neither injury nor death.” 

At press time, emergency operarioms were ongoing. 

The LASTMA spokesperson said,” Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) with other emergency responders today salvaged what could have been another major disaster during an accident that happened immediately after Otedola bridge inwards Berger near Capital Oil, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Lagos.

“The Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA Mr Adebayo Taofiq confirmed that the accident involved a tanker fully loaded with 33,000 litres of diesel and a Hyundai bus (IKD 415 BU).

” Preliminary investigation revealed that the tanker fully loaded with diesel was coming from old Toll-Gate going to Mowe Ibafo overturned near Capital Oil inwards Berger on Lagos Ibadan express way.The cause of the auto crash is yet to be ascertained. 

“After arriving at the scene, Lastma personnel immediately secured the environment against area boys including other members of the public who had started scooping diesel with various buckets/jerry cans on the road”

He said Policemen from Isheri Division provided security backup at the scene with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and Lasema Response Unit (LRU) doing the needful.

“Traffic Officer Giwa Abiodun who led Lastma rescue operations to the scene confirmed that while the driver of the Hyundai bus was rescued with injuries, the driver of the diesel tanker escaped immediately.

” Officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation at the scene of the accident include, Honourable Commissioner (Transportation) Mr. Seun Osiyemi, Permanent Secretary (Transportation) Mr. Olawale Musa, General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Mr. Bolaji Oreagba and others.”

At about 8.43p.m, Osanyintolu said,T” he ill-fated diesel Tanker has been successfully recovered off the road by the Agency’s Super metro and towed to the LASTMA yard Ikeja.

“Normalcy has been restored to the area. Operation concluded.”