By Akinwale Kasali
Yinka Ayefele, Juju-Gospel Maestro is counting his loses, following a mysterious inferno that gutted his two Radio Station, Fresh 105.9 FM and Blast 98.3 FM.
The Radio Stations popular as the ‘Music House’ in the Challenge Area of Ibadan, Oyo State Capital, was gutted by fire on Friday night.
Though, the Fire was eventually put off by Fire Fighters, it had already caused significant damage, and destroyed properties worth billions of Naira, according to the Management of the Radio Stations.
Samson Akindele, Group Head of Corporate Affairs of Fresh FM Nigeria and Yinka Ayefele Limited, confirmed the sad incident in a press statement issued in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. He declared that the cause of the inferno was yet unknown.
Akindele said the studios of Fresh 105.9 and Blast 98.3 “were badly burnt”, alongside proximal offices like the newsroom, the transmitter/server room and several equipment burnt to ashes.
Announcing Friday’s fire disaster, Akindele said: “We are sad to inform the general public that the Head Office of Fresh FM Nigeria, Challenge – Ibadan was razed by a devastating fire incident this evening, August 15, 2025.
“In the ensuing mishap, the studios of Fresh 105.9 and Blast 98.3 were badly burnt, with proximal offices like the newsroom, the transmitter/server room and several equipment that got razed during active operations.
“All efforts to fight the fire, before the arrival of the professional fire fighters, with our in-house fire extinguishers proved abortive because of the strength of the inferno.
“We can’t immediately quantify the extent of the damage caused by the devastating inferno, the cause of which is also yet to be ascertained presently.
“We heartily appreciate everyone, good-spirited Nigerians, who joined us in fighting the inferno.
“From the residents around our studio complex who were the first responders to passersby and the officials of the Oyo Fire Service, we appreciate everyone for their assistance during the emergency.”
It would be recalled that seven years ago, precisely August 19, 2018, bulldozers of the Oyo State Government roared and brought down a part of Yinka Ayefele’s Music House for alleged contravention of the State’s Property Laws.
This led to public outcry from Nigerians, stakeholders, the Nigeria Media and sympathizers who queried the rationale behind the demolition, which many said was mere witch hunt and jealousy from Ayefele’s contemporaries in the media and entertainment industry.
The Governor of Oyo State then, Late Abiola Ajimobi denied knowledge of the demolition order, and his administration helped the musician rebuild the property.
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