A potential tanker fire accident was yesterday averted at Awoyaya along the inward carriageway of the Lekki–Epe Expressway following the timely intervention of officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) after a fully laden Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) tanker overturned on the road.

The incident occurred at about 2:00 a.m., involving a lone articulated tanker conveying a large volume of PMS that reportedly lost control and overturned while navigating the inward-bound lane of the busy expressway.

Given the highly combustible nature of the cargo and the strategic importance of the transport corridor, the accident posed a significant threat to lives, property and the environment.

Upon receiving a distress alert, LASTMA officials were deployed to the scene, where operatives cordoned off the area, implemented traffic control measures and initiated recovery procedures. Their intervention also curtailed the activities of fuel scoopers, prevented secondary collisions and helped avert a possible fire disaster.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service was also mobilised to the scene and immediately activated fire prevention and containment protocols, including continuous monitoring to eliminate any risk of ignition.

Emergency response personnel supervised the transloading of the fuel into another empty 33,000-litre tanker.

LASTMA urged tanker and articulated vehicle operators to exercise caution, ensure proper vehicle maintenance and strictly adhere to safety regulations, particularly during night-time operations, to protect lives and safeguard public infrastructure.

The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, commended LASTMA operatives and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service for their prompt intervention at the scene.