The Ogun State Government has indefinitely sealed Quantum Steel Industry in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government, and Xinfeng Plastics Limited along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway following two separate industrial accidents that resulted in one death and multiple injuries.
In a statement released on Thursday, the government explained that the closures were necessary to facilitate investigations into the causes of the incidents and to ensure stricter adherence to safety protocols in the affected factories.
Reacting to the shutdown, the Special Adviser to the Ogun Governor on Environmental Protection Agency and Chairman of the State Taskforce on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, Farook Akintunde, emphasized the administration’s commitment to workplace safety.
“As a government, we are determined to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation, including consulting external safety experts, to determine the root causes of these incidents in the interest of public safety,” Akintunde stated.
He lamented that despite routine inspections and safety awareness campaigns by the state government, such accidents continue to occur.
It is painful that despite our ongoing efforts to educate companies on strict safety procedures, these incidents still happened, resulting in fatalities.
This underscores the need for immediate action, including shutting down the affected factories,” he added.
The two companies will remain closed until investigations are concluded and necessary safety measures are put in place. The government also warned that any company found violating safety standards would not only face closure but could also be blacklisted.
The statement further revealed that two additional companies—Wemco Nigeria Limited in Magboro and Beautiful Fibre—were also shut down for safety violations.
Wemco was penalized for obstructing government officials investigating an erosion dispute, while Beautiful Fibre was found guilty of exposing workers to hazardous chemicals without providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) despite repeated warnings.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed that an industrial accident at Quantum Steel on March 2, 2025, left seven individuals, including two expatriates, severely injured after a machine explosion.
The victims, identified as Daniel Bala (28), Mutiu Olajide (39), Godwin Solomon (27), Maduabuchi Onwe (27), Ajun Kumar (37, expatriate), Chandan Kumar (50, expatriate), and Rakash Kumar (30, expatriate), were hospitalized and are currently receiving treatment at Rolayo Hospital, Ikorodu, Lagos State.
The Ogun State Police Command has launched an investigation into the incident, with officers visiting the scene, documenting evidence, and interviewing relevant persons.
Similarly, the state government confirmed the death of a machine operator, Ishaku Monday, who was electrocuted while working at Xinfeng Plastics Limited.
Authorities have assured that thorough investigations will be conducted to prevent future occurrences and to hold responsible parties accountable.
