A heart-wrenching tragedy occurred in Lagos as a 25-year-old contract worker reportedly took his own life by leaping into a pot of molten iron at his place of employment.
The incident, which took place on August 3, 2024, has left the community in shock and has prompted discussions on mental health and safety within the workplace.
The incident happened at a company located in the Industrial Scheme of Odogunyan, Ikorodu, Lagos State.
According to reports, the young man was employed in the AOD (Argon Oxygen Decarburisation) Section of the factory, an area where extreme caution is required due to the high risks associated with the equipment and materials in use.
The Lagos State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the tragic event.
He explained that the company’s safety officer had reported the incident to the Sagamu Road Police Division on the evening of August 3, around 6:00 p.m.
The safety officer detailed how the worker suddenly ran towards the iron melting pot, an area that is typically off-limits during operations due to the danger it presents.
Despite desperate attempts by his coworkers to prevent him from reaching the pot, the young man succeeded in jumping into it.
The intense heat of the molten iron led to his immediate death, with his body being completely incinerated within seconds.
In response to the incident, police detectives visited the scene to carry out a preliminary investigation.
The deceased’s family was informed of the tragedy shortly after.
SP Hundeyin mentioned that the investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances that led to this devastating event, though no foul play is suspected at this time.
The tragic incident has raised serious concerns about the mental well-being of workers, particularly in high-risk industries such as manufacturing and metallurgy.
In Nigeria, contract workers often face challenging working conditions, including job insecurity, long hours, and minimal benefits.
Experts say these factors can contribute to significant stress and anxiety, which, if left unaddressed, can lead to tragic outcomes like the one witnessed in Ikorodu.
In a separate incident on the same day, a fire outbreak occurred at an LG Electronics warehouse in the Abule Osun area of Lagos, destroying equipment and gadgets worth millions of naira.
The fire, which started in the early hours of the morning, was reported to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) through its 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency lines at around 12:15 a.m.
LASEMA’s Head of Public Affairs Unit, Nosa Okunbor, confirmed the incident, stating that the agency promptly activated its Emergency Response Plan upon receiving the distress calls.
When the Dolphin Response Team from LASEMA’s Igando Base arrived at the scene, they found the fire raging throughout the warehouse, threatening to spread to adjacent structures.
The fire affected a wide range of equipment and household gadgets, including televisions, refrigerators, and air conditioners, causing extensive damage.
Okunbor noted that the immediate cause of the fire has not yet been determined and is still under investigation.
Fortunately, no fatalities or injuries were reported as a result of the incident, though the entire warehouse was severely damaged.
