Ogun: Apprentice electrocuted at welding workshop, three arrested
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested three individuals in connection with the electrocution of a 23-year-old apprentice, Jonathan Emmanuel, at a welding workshop in the Asimolowo area of Ifo.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Omolola Odutola, the tragic incident occurred on March 6, 2024.
The father of the deceased, Mr. Emmanuel Brown Abah, reported the matter at the Ifo Divisional Police Headquarters around 6:00 p.m. after being informed by Azeez Salami, a truck driver and the victim’s master.
Police officers were immediately dispatched to the scene and facilitated the evacuation of the victim to the General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Oladokun Johnson, a welder, had been working on a container using a welding machine with an exposed live wire. At the time of the incident, Olaleye Kamaldeen, the owner of an Iveco truck with registration number T 7146 LA, had arrived at the workshop with a mini-bus carrying about ten truck rims for offloading.
While Salami, Kamaldeen, and Emmanuel were rolling the rims towards the truck, one of them made contact with the exposed wire, leading to the fatal electrocution of the apprentice.
Following the incident, police operatives recovered the welding machine and exposed wire as exhibits. The welder, truck owner, and driver were arrested and remain in custody as investigations continue. The case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further inquiry and possible prosecution.
The Ogun State Police Command has urged business owners and artisans to enforce strict workplace safety measures to prevent similar tragedies.
