Police probe electrocution of Ogun apprentice

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a welder, Oladokun Johnson; a truck driver, Azeez Salami, and a truck owner, Olaleye Kamaldeen, over the electrocution of a 23-year-old apprentice, Jonathan Emmanuel, at a welding workshop in the Asimolowo area of Ifo.

The father of late Emmanuel, Mr Abah Emmanuel, was said to have reported the tragic incident to the Ifo Divisional Police Headquarters on March 6, 2024 at about 6 pm.

He was said to have stated that he received information from Salami, the truck driver and the deceased’s master, about his son’s electrocution.

The spokesman for the state police command, CSP Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

Odutola explained that immediately after receiving the report, police officers were drafted to visit the scene rendering assistance in evacuation to the General Hospital, where the doctor on duty confirmed the victim as brought in dead.

She said, “Preliminary investigation 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 minibus 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.”

“Following the incident, police operatives recovered the welding machine and exposed wire as exhibits.

“The welder, truck owner, and driver have been arrested and are currently in custody as investigations continue. The case will be transferred to the SCID for further investigation and possible prosecution”.

The command has however strongly advised business owners and artisans to prioritise workplace safety measures to prevent such tragic and avoidable incidents.