NEMA AVERTS DISASTER AS FUEL TANKER OVERTURNS IN OWERRI.

By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
10- OCT -2025

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Owerri Operations Office, swiftly intervened on Thursday, October 9, 2025, following the overturning of a 45,000-litre Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) tanker near the Emmanuel College Roundabout, along the Owerri–Aba Road in Imo State.

The incident, which occurred around 1:00 p.m., triggered massive traffic congestion and caused a major fuel spill across the busy highway. Eyewitnesses reported that the tanker, operated by Apata Energy Ltd, lost balance while attempting to navigate a sharp bend at high speed, leading to its fall.

Immediately after receiving a distress alert, a NEMA Search and Rescue team led by Mr. Nweze Innocent was dispatched to the location and arrived within minutes. The team swiftly established a safety cordon around the spill site, preventing possible ignition and protecting nearby institutions, shops, and residential areas.

In a show of effective inter-agency collaboration, other emergency responders — including the Federal Fire Service, Imo State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Imo State Environmental Protection Agency (ENSEPA) — joined NEMA to manage the situation.

The FRSC diverted vehicular movement to alternative routes, while security operatives restricted public access to the danger zone to ensure safety. Firefighters deployed foam suppression systems to neutralize combustible vapours and reduce the risk of explosion.

By 2:45 p.m., a transfer pump and an empty tanker were mobilized to recover the spilled product and commence transloading operations. NEMA’s technical team also conducted air quality assessments to detect the presence of flammable gases, while damage to nearby solar poles and road infrastructure was documented.

The coordinated operation concluded successfully by 5:07 p.m., and the site was officially handed over to the Imo State Environmental Agency for cleanup and final remediation. Normal vehicular movement resumed by 6:00 p.m.

Fortunately, there were no casualties or injuries recorded. The timely and professional response by NEMA and collaborating agencies prevented what could have been a devastating fire outbreak and environmental hazard in the state capital.