The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has warned members of the public against consuming or selling groundnut oil collected from the scene of a tanker accident at Ojota Bridge in Lagos State, citing the risk of contamination.
The warning followed an accident involving a 33,000-litre groundnut oil tanker that overturned around Abiola Garden, inward Old Toll Gate, at Ojota Bridge, causing a complete obstruction of the road and disrupting traffic along the affected route.
Preliminary security reports indicated that the accident may have been caused by suspected brake failure. The incident prompted an emergency response involving traffic management officials and other relevant agencies to facilitate recovery operations and restore normal movement.
Following the accident, LASTMA promptly deployed its Rescue and Recovery Team, supported by two heavy-duty tow vehicles, to evacuate the overturned tanker and clear the affected carriageway.
Traffic management personnel were also deployed to coordinate the movement of vehicles and implement diversionary measures to reduce congestion and ensure the safety of motorists and other road users.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed serious concern over reports that some individuals had been scooping the spilled groundnut oil from the road, drainage channels and other exposed areas.
He warned that collecting and consuming the oil, or selling it to unsuspecting members of the public, could pose a significant public health risk because of possible contamination.
According to the agency, the spilled oil may have come into contact with road debris, environmental pollutants, drainage water and other potentially harmful substances. Such exposure could make the product unsafe for human consumption.
Bakare-Oki therefore urged residents, traders, food vendors and other members of the public to avoid consuming or purchasing any groundnut oil recovered from the accident scene.
He stressed that the desire to recover spilled products for personal use or commercial purposes should not take precedence over public health and safety.
The LASTMA general manager further warned that consuming contaminated edible oil could expose unsuspecting individuals to avoidable health complications, urging the public to exercise caution and comply with the advisory.
Other agencies that participated in the emergency response included the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency.
Their coordinated efforts supported LASTMA’s traffic management operations and helped address the immediate challenges created by the accident.
The advisory was issued by Adebayo Taofiq, Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, who reiterated the importance of public cooperation in protecting lives and maintaining safety during emergencies.
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