On August 3, 2024, a tragic incident occurred in the Odogunyan area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, where a 25-year-old contract worker lost his life after jumping into an iron melting pot.

The deceased, whose identity remains undisclosed, was employed at a metal recycling plant's Argon Oxygen Decarburization (AOD) section, a facility known for refining iron, nickel, and cobalt.

The incident was reported to the Sagamu Road Police Division by the company's safety officer at approximately 3:51 PM.

According to the safety officer, the young man ran towards the restricted area of the iron melting pot and jumped in, despite desperate attempts by his colleagues to stop him.

The extreme heat of the molten iron caused the body to be completely melted and dissolved, making retrieval impossible.

Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, confirmed the incident via social media. He noted that the case was reported promptly, but the name of the deceased, the safety officer, and the company were not disclosed. The police have since contacted the family of the deceased and are conducting an ongoing investigation into the matter.

This incident has raised concerns about workplace safety and mental health support for employees in high-risk industries.

The company involved is located within the Industrial Scheme of Odogunyan, a hub for various manufacturing and recycling operations.