Explosion Kills Worker In Dangote Cement Plant

Tragedy struck yesterday at Gboko in Benue State when an employee of Dangote Cement Plc was killed by a flying rock at the quarry section of the plant.

The man, identified as Mr. Solomon Ashi, was hit on the head by rock suspected to be limestone after an explosion at the quarry section. This, however, created apprehension in the town, as youths trooped out to protest his death.

The angry youths barricaded the major road leading to Ogoja in Cross River State and made bonfires on the highway. As a result, commuters were stranded for several hours.
It, however, took the intervention of security agents to disperse the protesting youths and to subsequently restored normalcy to the area.


Speaking on the incident, the Assistant General Manager (Special Duties) of the Dangote Cement Plant, Mr. Bem Meladu, told our correspondent that the company had taken measures to prevent future occurrence. Meladu also disclosed that the body of the deceased had been deposited at a mortuary.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, Daniel Ezeala, confirmed the death. Ezeala said the accident was a result of explosion from the quarry section. He, however, frowned at the action of the youths who took the laws into their hands.
The management of Dangote Cement Plant and the host community have been at loggerheads following refusal to reabsorb the youths of the community which often triggers crisis at the slightest provocation.