Just two months after Quantum Steel Industry in Ogijo, Ogun State, was temporarily shut down following an explosion that critically injured seven workers, another fatal accident has occurred at the same facility.
This time, a forklift operator identified as Abayomi lost his life after being caught in a scrap grinding machine.
According to sources within the factory, the incident happened last Monday when Abayomi was instructed to remove a piece of scrap material lodged in the machine.
A casual worker at the plant, who spoke under condition of anonymity due to fear of retaliation, explained that the machine operator—allegedly a foreign national—directed Abayomi to remove the blockage, unaware that the machine was still running.
As soon as Abayomi dislodged the scrap, the machine resumed operation and pulled him in, treating him like scrap metal.
Despite the swift response of nearby workers who rushed to rescue him, Abayomi was pronounced dead by the time he was removed from the machinery.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the Ogun State Police Command proved unsuccessful as the spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, had yet to reply to messages sent as of the time of reporting.
However, a police officer in the area, who was not authorized to speak publicly, confirmed the fatality in a phone call.
Attempts to reach Quantum Steel Industry for comment were also unfruitful.
A contact listed on the company’s website declined to speak, stating he was not authorized to comment on the incident.
This latest tragedy comes on the heels of the factory’s previous closure by the Ogun State Government in March, following two separate industrial accidents that resulted in one death and multiple severe injuries. At the time, the state’s Special Adviser on Environmental Protection and head of the Taskforce on Environmental Compliance, Farook Akintunde, stated that the closure was aimed at preventing further tragedies and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
The reopening of the factory and the recurrence of such a serious accident have now raised fresh concerns over industrial safety practices and regulatory enforcement in Ogun’s manufacturing sector.