By Asaye Bankole
A major disaster was narrowly avoided on Wednesday after a truck carrying 33,000 litres of ethanol fell off the Second Rainbow Bridge in the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident, stating that no death or injury was recorded.
According to the agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the accident occurred at approximately 11 a.m. and involved a FOTON truck with registration number APP 346 YC.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the truck fell while the driver was negotiating a turn on the bridge.
The agency attributed the incident to excessive speed, which reportedly caused the truck’s turntable to detach and fall onto the roundabout, obstructing the entire stretch.
Oke-Osanyintolu explained that the incident posed a serious threat because ethanol is highly flammable and could trigger a fire or explosion if not handled carefully.
Following the report, LASEMA’s Eagle Response Team, working alongside other emergency agencies, immediately secured the scene and introduced crowd and traffic control measures to prevent people from approaching the affected area.
Personnel from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Federal Fire Service also applied chemical foam to the truck and its surroundings to suppress fumes and minimise the risk of a secondary incident.
Officers of the Nigeria Police Force and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) supported the operation by securing the area and controlling traffic.
The LASEMA chief commended the emergency responders for their swift and coordinated intervention, which prevented what could have resulted in a devastating incident.
Cement Truck Causes Traffic Disruption in Agege
In a separate incident, LASEMA reported that its Tiger Response Team from C3 successfully restored traffic movement at Oke Koto in Agege after a Dangote cement truck climbed a road divider and became trapped.
Oke-Osanyintolu said the incident was attributed to reckless driving, which disrupted the free flow of traffic and required the intervention of emergency responders and LASTMA officials.
He explained that LASEMA deployed its heavy-duty recovery equipment, known as Super Metro, to remove the stranded truck. The vehicle was subsequently towed to the LASTMA yard for further action.
Traffic was later restored, with no casualties reported.
LASEMA Warns Motorists Against Reckless Driving
Following the two incidents, the agency urged motorists to observe speed limits and comply with traffic regulations, particularly when transporting heavy loads and hazardous substances.
Oke-Osanyintolu also encouraged residents to report emergencies through LASEMA’s toll-free numbers, 767 and 112, to ensure a prompt response.
The incidents occurred a day after emergency responders rescued two men from a fire that engulfed an eight-room bungalow on Onitire Road, Itire, Lagos.
During that incident, a 42-year-old man sustained burns while attempting to rescue a 75-year-old wheelchair user from the burning building.
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