There was confusion and panic on Thursday after a tanker loaded with diesel crashed at Nkpolu Junction along the East-West Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The incident, which happened in the early hours of the day, occurred when one of the tanker’s tires burst, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle veered off the road and fell into a roadside gutter, spilling its contents.
Despite the danger, residents in the area rushed to the scene to scoop diesel, ignoring warnings and efforts by security officials to keep them away.
Officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) quickly moved in to cordon off the area. The spilled fuel was being transferred into another tanker to prevent further risk.
Although no lives were lost, a smaller truck parked by the roadside was badly damaged during the crash. Authorities have urged residents to avoid such risky behavior in future incidents to prevent disasters such as fires or explosions.
