Traffic congestion as petrol tanker explodes in Lagos

A tanker conveying 45,000 litres of petrol on Tuesday crashed and exploded at Banire bus stop in Egbeda area of Lagos state.

Confirming the incident to NAN, Ibrahim Farinloye, south west zonal coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said the agency received an alert at 12.20am that the tanker had exploded, causing panic among the residents of the locality.

“No life was lost or property destroyed,” he added.

“However, the tanker with no registration number, is still half filled with PMS and across the major highway.

“The Police Disaster Management Unit and Gowon Estate Police Station have apprehended the driver of the truck and his motor boy (assistant).”

Farinloye said efforts were being made to transfer the content to another tanker before the road could be opened for traffic.

He advised motorists to make use of alternate routes from the Banire roundabout to Egbeda roundabout.

Farinloye said NEMA and other agencies including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency Response Unit and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority are on the ground to ensure safety and free flow of traffic.

There have been many cases of petrol tanker explosions in Lagos state.

In January, a petrol tanker rolled over and burst into flames on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, causing panic among commuters plying the route.

No lives were lost in the incident.