Worker dies operating machine in Lebanese factory
By EVELYN USMAN
…Family prevented from seeing corpse
LAGOS—Tragedy has struck again in one of the Lebanese-owned factories in Ikotun area of Lagos, Aliberty Company, following the death of a casual worker on Tuesday, while operating a machine.
The deceased, identified as Mike Aghanenu, who scored 240 in the just- released Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB examination result, reportedly bled to death as his right arm down to his ribs were chopped off by the machine.
It was learnt that the factory workers, who had resumed after the Easter holidays, were jolted about 11am by the scream of a supervisor, Olotu Fredrick, who had noticed an obstruction in the operation, as the machine used to grind fibre was grinding Mike’s hand instead.
Effort to save the life of the only son of his parent failed as he was reportedly confirmed dead at a hospital where he was reportedly rushed to.
Family attacks firm
However, the bereaved family members have expressed displeasure over what they described as display of “an uncultured manner’’ by management of the company in handling the issue.
The family claimed that the company did not intimate them about the tragic incident, wondering why it had to deposit their son’s body at the morgue without deeming it fit to contact them.
They also raised alarm over plans to sweep the case under the carpet, claiming that they were prevented from seeing the corpse by some plain- clothes policemen.
Father laments
According to father of the deceased, Mr Aghanenu, “As I speak, (12 noon Wednesday), we have not been briefed on the exact circumstance that led to my son’s death. We heard yesterday evening and rushed to the Isolo General Hospital mortuary, where we were told that his body was deposited. Can you imagine that we were prevented from seeing my own son’s corpse?”
When Vanguard visited the company, yesterday, a police van was stationed opposite the premises with armed policemen, apparently to check any likely protest that could turn violent. Members of the bereaved family were also seen, awaiting the arrival of management of the company.
It, however, took close to two hours before a woman, who claimed to be the company’s spokesperson came out to attend to journalists and the bereaved family.
Asked what transpired, she referred Vanguard to the Police at Ikotun, saying she was not in the position to explain. Her utterances sparked up the already tensed situation, as members of the family engaged her in a verbal confrontation.
The arrival of the Divisional Police Officer in-charge of Ikotun, Mr. Austin Akika, at the company, saved the situation from turning violent, as he calmed the enraged family.
Contacted, Lagos State Police Command spokesman, Mr. Joseph Jaiyeoba, said he was yet to be briefed on the incident, adding that the police could not prevent the bereaved family from seeing the corpse of their son.
He argued that those who claimed to be policemen at the morgue could be impostors.
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