Terra Acqua explosion in Ogun kills three casual workers. Families seek justice as safety breaches spark renewed calls for stronger labour enforcement

A deadly Terra Acqua explosion in Ogun has claimed the lives of at least three young workers, including a 19-year-old, after a chemical blast rocked the company’s facility on Agunloye Street, Ota, directly opposite The Bells University. The tragic incident occurred on 27 June 2025.

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Family members of the deceased allege that the victims were hired as casual workers without formal contracts, safety training or protective gear.

One of the victims, Lateef Badmus, sustained severe burns and died a week later in hospital, according to a statement by his cousin, Samuel Dansuleimon.

“These are not just accidents,” Mr Dansuleimon said. “They are the direct result of preventable unsafe practices and the exploitation of poor, young, and untrained workers. Their lives were not disposable.”

The families are demanding justice, compensation, and full prosecution of those responsible for the safety violations. They have also called for the immediate closure of the company pending a proper investigation.

The Terra Acqua explosion in Ogun is the latest in a series of troubling reports involving the chemical manufacturer.

Despite its repeated claims of routine staff training, community members and safety advocates have questioned the company’s compliance with basic labour and environmental laws.

When contacted, Mr Bolaji, who identified himself as the company’s Head of Operations, confirmed the deaths.

“Yes, people died. We were there to meet the family, and we are scheduled to return,” he said in a phone interview. He insisted the company provides training, calling the explosion an unfortunate accident.

However, under Nigeria’s Factories Act, employers must provide protective equipment, proper training and accident prevention measures.

The Labour Act further mandates that all employees, including casual workers, must work under safe conditions, with written contracts required after three months.

Environmental laws also apply. The National Environmental Regulations (2009) enforce strict controls over chemical manufacturing, including mandatory emergency response plans and restrictions on harmful emissions.

Under Section 33 of the Nigerian Constitution, every citizen has a right to life, while Section 17(3) affirms humane working conditions.

Calls for enforcement have intensified. “There must be an immediate investigation to determine if Terra Acqua breached its legal obligations,” Mr Dansuleimon said.

Notably, this is not the first time Terra Acqua has faced public scrutiny. In June 2025, The Nation reported complaints by Igbooye community residents, also in Ogun State, over severe air pollution allegedly linked to Terra Acqua’s tyre recycling plant.

Residents accused the company of emitting carbon monoxide and soot, causing respiratory illnesses and, reportedly, at least one death.

Despite public protests and a brief shutdown by the state’s Ministry of Environment, the company resumed operations without visible reforms. Civil society groups now fear the repeat incidents signal deeper regulatory failures.

Neither the Ogun State Government nor federal agencies like the NESREA, Ministry of Labour, or National Human Rights Commission have made any public statement regarding the Terra Acqua explosion in Ogun.

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As families mourn, attention is now focused on whether regulators will act swiftly to enforce Nigeria’s safety laws or allow the tragedy to fade into silence.