Residents, traders and food vendors in Lagos have been warned against buying, selling or consuming groundnut oil scooped from the scene of a tanker accident at Ojota Bridge, amid concerns that the spilled product may have been contaminated.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) issued the warning after a 33,000-litre tanker overturned near Abiola Garden, inward Old Toll Gate, on Wednesday, spilling its contents and causing traffic congestion along the route.
In a statement signed by the Director of LASTMA’s Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, the agency said preliminary findings indicated that brake failure might have caused the accident.
Although no casualties were recorded, the incident disrupted traffic and prompted the deployment of a rescue team and two tow vehicles to remove the overturned tanker and restore the free flow of vehicles.
LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed concern over reports that some residents were collecting the spilled groundnut oil from the road and nearby drainage channels for possible consumption or resale.
He warned that the recovered oil could have been contaminated by dirt, road debris and other potentially harmful substances, making it unsafe for human consumption.
Bakare-Oki urged residents, traders and food vendors to avoid purchasing, selling or using the recovered oil in food preparation, warning that consuming contaminated products could pose serious health risks.
He also stressed the importance of public caution during road emergencies, particularly when spilled goods appear reusable but may have been exposed to hazardous contaminants.
Other agencies involved in the emergency response included the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency.
LASTMA said the agencies worked together to secure the affected area, manage traffic and support the tanker recovery operation.
