A petrol laden tanker has overturned on the Tincan Liverpool Bridge in Apapa, Lagos, causing panic and disruption on one of the city’s busiest routes.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, January 19, 2026, spilling petroleum motor spirit onto the road and beneath the bridge during peak traffic hours, which led to severe gridlock in the area.
Video footage circulating shows dozens of residents and passersby rushing under the bridge with jerry cans, buckets, and other containers to scoop the leaking fuel, despite the risk of fire or explosion.
The scene has sparked widespread reactions, with many expressing concern over public safety, while others pointed to economic hardship as a factor driving the dangerous scramble for fuel.
Disclosing this in a statement via X, the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) said traffic has been diverted to the other side of the bridge for safety measures.
According to the statement, emergency officials, including operatives of the Lagos State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and LASTMA, are currently on ground to avert any tragedy.