A Canada-based Nigerian, Zeenat, has shared a vivid account of a distressing experience in Lagos after a fallen petrol tanker caused hours-long gridlock, forcing commuters to abandon their vehicles and trek through unsafe terrain.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Zeenat said the incident occurred just days before her return to Canada, describing it as Nigeria “showing her small shege” before letting her leave.

According to her account, she was returning from an outing when traffic came to a complete standstill. After speaking with other road users, it was confirmed that a petrol tanker had fallen across the road, blocking both directions. With no immediate resolution in sight, passengers began to leave their cars and continue the journey on foot.

Zeenat said she initially struggled to process the situation, only realising the seriousness when she found herself alone in the vehicle, with even the driver having disappeared. After calling home for advice, she was told trekking was her only option.

What followed, she said, was over an hour of physically and emotionally exhausting walking under unsafe conditions. She recounted being mocked by some passers-by for her outfit, which they jokingly described as a “princess gown,” instead of receiving help.

Security personnel and firefighters were present at the scene of the tanker accident, but pedestrians were barred from passing near the vehicle due to fire risks. The alternative route provided required people to jump across an uncovered drainage gutter. Zeenat said many, including herself, had to be physically pulled out after falling into the gutter filled with dirt.

The ordeal continued through a bush path and a muddy, waterlogged stretch of road, where vehicles recklessly followed pedestrians, nearly causing further accidents. At one point, Zeenat said she was forced to remove her shoes as the sticky terrain made walking difficult, adding to her fear and urgency to escape the area.

Her brother eventually attempted to locate her from the opposite end of the traffic jam, but she said exhaustion overtook her before they could reunite. She ended up sitting by a dirty roadside gutter, asking him to retrieve the car once the road became passable.

Zeenat described the incident as her “most horrible experience” in Nigeria.

Mixed Reactions Online

Her post sparked a wave of reactions online, blending sympathy, humour, and reflection.

One user, Big Tiphe, expressed shock at the experience, criticising those who mocked her and joking about the man who asked for her phone number during the ordeal. Chigozie Bashua quipped that the man may have seen her as a “damsel in distress” and tried to turn the moment into a love story.

Others focused on safety concerns. Gideon Joe, who jokingly claimed to be the man who asked for her number, apologised and pointed out how a single tanker accident could force hundreds of people to trek long distances, highlighting broader infrastructure and safety issues.

Several commenters emphasised gratitude for her safety. Akins Olayencah noted that surviving the ordeal mattered more than the experience itself, while Celebrity Teacher added a lighter take, suggesting it doubled as exercise after festive indulgence.

Broader Concerns

Beyond humour, the incident has reignited conversations about road safety, emergency response coordination, pedestrian protection, and urban infrastructure in Nigeria’s major cities. For many Nigerians, such scenes are familiar, but for returnees from abroad, they often come as a harsh reminder of daily realities at home.

As Zeenat returned to Canada, her experience has resonated widely online, serving as both a personal story and a reflection of systemic challenges that continue to affect everyday mobility and safety in Nigeria.