The workers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority have stopped another diesel fire explosion at Obadeyi before Ijaye along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway.
The tanker driver absconded after the truck fell in the early hours of Thursday, according to a statement issued on Thursday by Adebayo Taofiq, the Agency’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department.
He said, “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.
After leading LASTMA rescue efforts to the area, Traffic Officer Ajalekoko Bolade (Bravo 19, Abule-Egba) reported that the tanker’s driver fled the scene right away.
In order to prevent an impending fire explosion, Taofiq said, scoopers had to be driven off the scene. Meiran Police Division officers also supplied security backup at the location.
“To prevent another imminent fire explosion, LASTMA, after arriving at the scene, immediately chased away scoopers and condoned off the entire vicinity.
“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.”
Taofiq also announced a traffic diversion at Hamadiya by both Hamadiya Hospital Way and those moving against those from the toll gate.