LAGOS: Petrol tanker explodes along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway

A TANKER conveying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) this morning reportedly fell and burst into flame near Toyota bus stop along Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos.

The incident caused panic among commuters plying the route, leading to a heavy traffic jam in the area.

The development was confirmed by the Acting Zonal Coordinator, South-West Zonal Office, NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye.

According to Farinloye, the incident occurred about 9.15 a.m., at Toyota Bus Stop, close to the Oshodi-Airport Road junction and directly in front of the Lagos State Fire Service Station located in the area.

He said the tanker was fully loaded with 44,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) when the incident occurred.

“The tanker crashed on the side with another trailer on the motion. The trailer was fully loaded with iron rods.

”It is believed that the two vehicles were trying to outsmart each other before the incident happened,” he said.

While any casualty is yet to be confirmed, reports say officials of the fire service have successfully separated the tanker body from the head and are making efforts to put out the inferno.

It would be recalled that a similar incident had occurred on Dec. 19, 2020, when another diesel tanker exploded on the Michael Otedola Bridge causing panic among commuters plying the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The tanker was fully loaded with 44,000 litres of AGO and was moving toward the Berger axis of the expressway when one of its tyres burst into flames but no casualty was recorded.