By Kamil Opeyemi
The operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority early Thursday prevented diesel fire explosion at Obadeyi before Ijaye along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway.
The agency in a statement by its Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed that the tanker (JJJ 596 XX) fully loaded with diesel products fell around 6:10am and had its contents spreading on the expressway.
According to the statement, the tanker driver eloped after the tanker fell.
“Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority have prevented another diesel fire explosion at Obadeyi before Ijaye along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway.
“The tanker with registration number JJJ 596 XX, fully loaded with diesel products, fell around 6:10 am and had its contents spreading on the expressway,” he said
Taofiq stated that scoopers were chased away from the scene to avoid an imminent fire explosion, adding that Policemen from the Meiran Police Division also provided security backup at the scene.
“To prevent another imminent fire explosion, LASTMA, after arriving at the scene, immediately chased away scoopers and condoned off the entire vicinity.
“After arriving at the scene, LASTMA personnel immediately called the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, including Lasema Response Unit and immediately secured the environment against area boys who had started scooping diesel with buckets/jerry cans.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the falling tanker fully loaded with diesel was coming from Abule-Egba going to Ijaye before the driver lost control due to a brake failure at Obadeyi,” he said
Traffic Officer Ajalekoko Bolade (Bravo 19, Abule-Egba), who led LASTMA rescue operations to the scene, confirmed that the driver of the tanker ran away immediately after the incident.
Taofiq also announced a traffic diversion at Hamadiya by both Hamadiya Hospital Way and those moving against those from the toll gate.