Enugu tanker accident: Residents scoop fuel, motorists stranded

Some residents of Enugu East council, on Friday, trooped to the scene of a tanker accident along Eke Obinagu-Emene-Abakaliki Road, Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State to scoop fuel.
Despite warnings by some elders in the area, the residents, mostly youths, raced to the scene with jerry cans to scoop fuel.
Motorists on the busy road were stranded for hours.

Some officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) later restored order by chasing them away.
Some of the boys scooping fuel were arrested.
The state government, in a statement, advised stranded motorists to use alternative routes.
The statement by Mrs. Nkechi Eneh, Executive Secretary, Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), reads: “Following the accident involving a tanker carrying 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which fell along Eke Obinagu-Emene-Abakaliki Road, Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Friday, the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) advises residents of the area and road users not to scoop the content of the fallen tanker in view of the inherent hazard associated with such unlawful act.
“Citizens and road users are, therefore, advised to use alternative routes provided for them.
“Men and officers of the State Fire Service and other emergency stakeholders are responding swiftly to the incident”.