Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have taken three individuals into custody following the tragic electrocution of a 23-year-old apprentice, Jonathan Emmanuel, at a welding workshop in the Asimolowo area of Ifo Local Government Area.
The incident, which occurred at a workshop owned by Oladokun Johnson, was reported to the Ifo Divisional Police Headquarters by the victim’s father, Emmanuel Abah, around 6:00 p.m. on Thursday.
Confirming the development on Friday, The State Police Spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, explained that Jonathan had accompanied his boss, Azeez Salami, a truck driver, and Olaleye Kamaldeen, the owner of an Iveco truck (Reg. No. T 7146 LA, Lagos), to the workshop to offload ten truck rims from a mini-bus.
According to Odutola, while Johnson was working on a container with a welding machine that had an exposed live wire, one of the rims being handled by the victim and his colleagues came into contact with the wire, leading to his instant electrocution.
Police officers were swiftly dispatched to the scene following the report, and the victim was rushed to the General Hospital, where doctors confirmed him dead on arrival.
Odutola stated, “The incident was reported at Ifo Divisional Police Headquarters on March 6, 2024, at about 1800 hrs by Mr. Emmanuel Brown Abah, the father of the deceased. He stated that he received information from Azeez Salami, a truck driver and the deceased’s master, about his son’s electrocution.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that Oladokun Johnson, a welder, was working on a container at his workshop, using a welding machine with an exposed live wire.
“At the time of the incident, Olaleye Kamaldeen, the owner of an Iveco truck (Reg. No. T 7146 LA, Lagos), had arrived with a mini bus carrying about ten truck rims for offloading.
“While Azeez Salami (truck driver), Olaleye Kamaldeen (truck owner), and Jonathan Emmanuel (victim) were rolling the rims towards the truck, one of the rims came into contact with the exposed wire, resulting in the victim’s immediate electrocution.”
The welder, truck owner, and driver have all been arrested and are currently being held in custody as investigations continue. Meanwhile, the welding machine and exposed wire have been taken in as evidence.
Odutola further stated that the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further inquiries and potential prosecution.
She also urged artisans and business owners to enforce strict workplace safety measures to prevent similar tragedies.
This incident comes just days after another case of workplace electrocution claimed the life of a 19-year-old machine operator, Ishaku Monday, at Xinfeng Plastics Limited along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
