Why Did Lagos Warn Residents Not to Eat Oil Spilled From a Crashed Tanker?

Quick answer: A 33,000-litre groundnut oil tanker overturned at Ojota Bridge in Lagos on 14 October 2026, spilling its load across the road. As residents scooped up the oil, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) warned that it could be contaminated and must not be eaten or sold.

Key facts

• What: Groundnut oil tanker overturned and spilled its load
• Where: Ojota Bridge, around Abiola Garden, inward Old Toll Gate, Lagos, Nigeria
• When: 14 October 2026 (reported by Pulse Nigeria)
• Load: 33,000 litres of groundnut oil
• Casualties: None mentioned in the report
• Suspected cause: Brake failure, according to preliminary reports

What happened

The tanker overturned at Ojota Bridge, completely blocking the carriageway and disrupting traffic along the route. Preliminary security reports attributed the crash to suspected brake failure.

Video from the scene showed residents rushing to collect the spilled oil with containers of different sizes. One person could be heard asking who was selling a keg, as he tried to join others scooping up the oil. The footage sparked concern online that the recovered oil could end up in markets or be used by roadside food vendors.

LASTMA warning

LASTMA issued a public health advisory warning residents against consuming or selling the recovered oil. The agency said the oil could have come into contact with road debris, environmental pollutants, drainage water and other potentially harmful substances.

LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki urged residents, traders and food vendors to resist the temptation to salvage the spilled oil, stressing that public health must take priority over recovering it. He warned that eating contaminated edible oil could expose people to avoidable health complications.

Emergency response

LASTMA deployed its rescue and recovery team, supported by two heavy-duty tow vehicles, to remove the overturned tanker and restore traffic flow. Traffic officers were positioned to manage diversions and ease congestion.

Other responders at the scene included the Nigerian 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.

Why spilled cooking oil is unsafe to eat

• Oil spilled on a road picks up grit, fuel residues, chemicals and drainage water that cannot be seen
• Straining or reheating does not remove chemical contaminants or all harmful bacteria
• Contaminated oil sold on to markets or food stalls can reach people who have no idea where it came from
• Anyone offered suspiciously cheap cooking oil should treat it as unsafe and report it to the authorities

What happens next

The tanker was cleared and traffic restored after the recovery operation. LASTMA has asked the public to heed its warning and not to consume or trade the spilled oil, while the cause of the crash is examined.

Frequently asked questions

Where did the Lagos tanker crash happen?

At Ojota Bridge, around Abiola Garden, inward Old Toll Gate, in Lagos, Nigeria.

How much oil spilled from the tanker?

The tanker was carrying 33,000 litres of groundnut oil, which spilled across the road when it overturned.

Why did LASTMA warn against eating the spilled oil?

Because the oil could have been contaminated by road debris, environmental pollutants, drainage water and other harmful substances.

Was anyone killed or injured in the crash?

The Pulse Nigeria report did not mention any deaths or injuries.

What caused the tanker to overturn?

Preliminary reports linked the crash to suspected brake failure.