A 33,000-litre tanker carrying diesel overturned on Friday morning along the Onitsha-Awka-Enugu Expressway near the Army Gate in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The incident, which occurred around 7:05 a.m., happened as the driver attempted to turn into a filling station. Reports indicate that the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to spill some of its contents before emergency responders arrived.
The accident led to the closure of the Awka-bound lane, with traffic diverted to the Onitsha-bound lane, resulting in heavy congestion.
Firefighters from the Anambra State Fire Service arrived promptly and sprayed chemical foam compound to prevent a fire outbreak. Despite their efforts, some residents were seen scooping spilled diesel from gutters, while security operatives struggled to control the situation and manage traffic.
As of the time of filing this report, the resulting gridlock had extended from the Army Gate to the MCC axis of the expressway.
Confirming the incident, State Fire Chief Chukwudi Chiketa stated that the tanker began rolling backward while attempting to discharge its contents at the filling station.
“The driver, according to the owner, failed to engage the handbrake. The vehicle rolled backward, and the driver, in an attempt to jump out, sustained a head injury. He was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Fortunately, no lives were lost,” Chiketa said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) spokesperson in Anambra, Margaret Onabe, confirmed that personnel had been deployed to the scene to manage traffic flow.
