Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested three individuals in connection with the tragic electrocution of a 23-year-old apprentice, Jonathan Emmanuel, at a welding workshop in the Asimolowo area, Ifo Local Government Area of the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed this in a statement on Friday in Abeokuta, the state capital.
The incident was reported at Ifo Divisional Police Headquarters on March 6, 2025, at about 1800 hrs by Mr Emmanuel Brown Abah, the father of the deceased stated that he received information from Azeez Salami, a truck driver and the deceased’s master, about his son’s electrocution,” she said.
She said that immediately after receiving the report, police officers were drafted to visit the scene rendering assistance in evacuation to General Hospital, where the attending doctor confirmed the victim as ‘Brought In Dead.
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 minibus carrying about ten truck rims for offloading,” Odutola said.
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 police spokesperson said the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and possible prosecution.
She also advised business owners and artisans to prioritise workplace safety measures to prevent such tragic and avoidable incidents.
