Broadcasting equipment worth millions of naira was destroyed when a fire destroyed three broadcasting stations in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State.
The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The three stations, Enyimba Radio & TV, Rose 101.9 FM and Legend 98.3 FM, are located within the same complex along Aba-Owerri Road in Aba North Local Government Area of the state.
Enyimba Radio and TV, a private media company, is the parent station of the other two.
Sources said the inferno started in the television section of the station and spread to other stations. Firefighters were said to have arrived to put out the fire.
Management speaks
The radio stations' management confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.
“We regret to inform you that our three radio stations, Enyimba 94.3 FM, Legend 98.3 FM and Rose 101.9 FM Aba, were subjected to a devastating fire attack on Saturday, November 2, 2024,” the management said.
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He praised the people who helped put out the fire and expressed his happiness that all of his staff were “safe and unharmed.”
“As a precautionary measure, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily close operations at all three stations.
“This will allow us to assess the damage and take precautionary measures to emerge stronger and better,” he said.
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Otti visits
Meanwhile, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State visited the station on Sunday to commiserate with the management over the incident.
According to a post on Enyimba Radio's Facebook page, the governor assessed the damage and encouraged staff members to stay strong despite the inferno.
“He (Otti) assured everyone present of the state government's commitment to helping the company recover from this setback,” the station wrote.
“He pledged government support to ensure that Enyimba TV & Radio can resume operations as soon as possible.”
During the visit, Otti urged individuals and businesses to prioritize fire safety measures, especially as the dry season approaches.
The governor highlighted the importance of equipping homes and offices with fire extinguishers and advised organizations to establish preventive safety protocols.