By Adebola Muili

Residents on Saturday risked their lives by scooping petroleum products after a tanker spilled its contents along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, near the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road.

Videos obtained from the scene showed dozens of men and women rushing towards the spilled product with buckets, jerrycans and other containers, apparently in an attempt to collect the fuel.

Some of the residents were also seen scooping the product from drainage channels and other areas where it had accumulated, despite the risk of fire or explosion posed by spilled petroleum products.

The incident attracted officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), alongside personnel of the Federal and State Fire Services, who moved to secure the area and prevent a possible fire outbreak.

The emergency responders were also seen working to manage the risks around the tanker and discourage residents from further exposure to the spilled fuel.

The development has again raised concerns over the dangers associated with fuel spills, particularly the practice of members of the public attempting to recover petroleum products from accident scenes.

The sight of residents gathering around the tanker and scooping the spilled product underscored the potential danger such incidents pose, as petroleum products can ignite when exposed to fire, sparks or other sources of ignition.

Authorities routinely advise members of the public to keep a safe distance from overturned tankers and areas affected by fuel spills until emergency responders have secured the scene.