A crane operator is being investigated by the police after a man was killed by an electric cable drum that fell on him on Ojo-Igbede Road in the Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State on Thursday.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, mentioned in a post on his social media account that the crane operator may face life imprisonment for his careless actions resulting in involuntary manslaughter.
He stated, "The crane operator could end up spending the rest of his life in prison. He didn't place any warning signs or barriers around the crane while working, and didn't have anyone to keep passersby away.
A pedestrian who was focused on his phone approached, and unfortunately, the cable drum being lifted slipped off its hook and landed on the pedestrian, causing instant death.
The crane operator is in police custody for reckless and negligent behavior leading to involuntary manslaughter.
Hundeyin also shared a document indicating that a person who acts recklessly or negligently and endangers human life is guilty of a misdemeanor and could be imprisoned for two years.
According to the document, a person is guilty of manslaughter if they unlawfully kill another person through a dangerous or negligent act, or with reckless disregard for human life.
The document also outlines that manslaughter carries a penalty of life imprisonment.
Sunday PUNCH reports that the incident occurred while a fork-lift operator was transferring armoured cables from a container on Thursday.
As per a police source, the victim, who passed away on his way to the hospital, was preoccupied with his phone when the cable fell on him.
