A fuel tanker loaded with 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) overturned on Friday along Ijako Road, inward Oke Oso, on the Ajah Expressway in Epe, Lagos State.
The incident occurred on Friday, while the Mack tanker was reportedly ascending Ijako Hill when a mechanical failure caused it to lose momentum and overturn.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said it received a distress alert at about 11:32 a.m. and promptly deployed its Whales Team from the Epe Base to the scene.
According to a statement issued by LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the response team arrived approximately four minutes after dispatch.
Preliminary findings indicated that the tanker’s propeller detached from its joint, causing the vehicle to lose momentum before falling on its side.
LASEMA disclosed that one of the tanker’s compartments was leaking, prompting emergency responders to immediately begin containment measures to prevent a possible fire outbreak and environmental damage.
The agency, however, confirmed that no death or injury was recorded in the incident.
Before LASEMA arrived, personnel of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service from the Oke Oso Station had already commenced efforts to contain the situation and reduce the risk of fire.
The emergency operation is being coordinated under the Incident Command System, with the involvement of LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps and representatives of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers.
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LASEMA said traffic officials were also managing vehicular movement around the area to protect motorists and prevent secondary accidents.
An empty tanker was subsequently mobilised to transfer the petroleum product from the overturned vehicle safely before recovery of the damaged tanker could commence.
Oke-Osanyintolu commended the emergency responders for their swift intervention and professionalism, stressing the Lagos State Government’s commitment to protecting lives and property through proactive emergency management.
He urged motorists to cooperate with traffic officials and avoid the affected area while recovery operations continue.
LASEMA said further updates would be issued as the operation progresses, while residents were advised to contact the agency through the toll-free emergency numbers 112 or 767 whenever emergencies occur.