A likely dangerous incident was narrowly averted at the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) newsroom when a private security guard mistakenly shot himself in the foot.
The guard, who was accompanying the ESBS Managing Director, Mr. Ladi Akeredolu-Ali, on a routine visit, was carrying a baby belonging to a staff member when his gun fell to the ground and discharged.
As he attempted to retrieve the weapon, he accidentally pulled the trigger, causing the gun to fire as the bullet struck his foot. The incident occurred during peak news production hours and posed a significant risk to the safety of nearby individuals, including three news editors on duty and the Managing Director.
It was learnt that no one else, not even the said baby who the guard was carrying, was harmed in the incident, which caused much panic in the newsroom. The incident highlights the importance of proper firearms handling and safety protocols to prevent such accidents.
“The armed private security personnel is one of the over 10 hunters engaged by the Managing Director for his protection and often used to intimidate staff, station’s guests and visitors,” one of the sources claimed.
A source familiar with details of the incident said, “it happened at about 3:20 pm. From what I heard, the Managing Director entered the newsroom to supervise the production of the station’s 4pm news bulletin. While doing that, his security guard carried the baby of one of the editors.
“I heard that his gun fell. At that point, someone carried the baby from him, while he continued fixing the gun with the muzzle facing the direction of the Managing Director. At that moment he told the security guy to turn the muzzle away from him.”
“Within split seconds, after placing the gun on his foot, there was the sound of gunshot reverberating around the office, shattering his foot,” the source narrated.
The source added, “To be frank, ESBS has been militarised. On assumption of office, the Managing Director recruited hunters armed with sophisticated weapons. He then proceeded to cutting down all the trees including, mangoes, oranges, and palm trees, claiming he was doing so for security reasons.
“He harasses staff everyday with the security personnel. There is no office he will enter without them. Even during general meetings, two will be behind him, one at the studio entrance and one stationed at the main entrance to the reception. Not to talk of those at the main gate.
“There were many occasions when presenters would invite guests to live programmes, the way and manner the security personnel treated the guests left much to be desired.
“If you complained to the Managing Director about their overzealousness and how they treated your guests and threatened to shoot you, the MD would tell you, you were lucky not to have been shot. One of the station’s presenters had to even resign rather than being killed on a job that can’t even pay for one’s transportation.”
The source further said that three internal security guards who were framed for stealing some equipment have been placed on indefinite suspension by the Managing Director, so he prefers to work with private security guards and hunters.
However, the source said it has not stopped the theft.
“When he started moving ESBS broadcast equipment from Okpatu, a decision that has drastically affected the station’s signal strength and reception, a very important equipment was stolen.
“Internal security who knew nothing about the theft were arrested. They had to bail themselves out of police station. Since then, he has not recalled them to work. The question is, has the stealing stopped?” the source queried.
Attempts made by SaharaReporters to reach the Managing Director, Akeredolu-Ali, were unsuccessful as he did not answer his calls. As of the time of filing this report, he had yet to reply to a text message seeking his comments and clarification.
Source: SaharaReporters
