A major disaster was narrowly averted on Tuesday evening after a fuel-laden tanker overturned and spilled its contents in front of the Nigerian Maritime Resources Development Centre, a facility of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), along the Kirikiri axis of Lagos.

The incident caused panic in the busy area as emergency responders quickly mobilized to prevent an explosion. Authorities immediately cordoned off the scene and restricted vehicular movement within a 500-metre radius to ensure public safety.

Officials from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and the Nigeria Police Force were on the ground to manage the situation. Firefighters successfully neutralized the spill and transloaded the remaining fuel into another tanker to prevent further leakage.

As of press time, no casualties, fire outbreak, or property damage were reported. However, tension remained high as emergency teams worked to clear the area and restore normal traffic flow.

Eyewitnesses said nearby shop owners hastily shut their businesses, fearing a possible explosion, while curious onlookers defied safety warnings to observe the scene.

Three fire trucks were sighted at the location, with security personnel maintaining a tight perimeter to keep residents and motorists at a safe distance.

Tuesday’s incident marks the third tanker-related accident in Lagos within a week. On Monday, traffic came to a standstill around the Chisco axis inward Victoria Island after a gas tanker overturned. Earlier, on October 27, 2025, a Lexus SUV collided with a fully loaded petrol tanker near Berger Suya, inward Mile 2, narrowly avoiding another potential disaster.