A devastating fire outbreak at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island, killed four senior staff members of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on Tuesday.
The inferno, reportedly sparked in the inverter room located in the basement, rapidly spread to the upper floors, trapping occupants and causing widespread panic.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing some victims attempting to escape through windows as thick black smoke engulfed the building.
Emergency responders managed to rescue several persons, but tragically, the deaths have confirmed the fire’s devastating toll.
The Victims: Experienced Leaders Lost
The deceased FIRS officers were experienced personnel who worked on the sixth and seventh floors of Afriland Towers.
They include Mrs. George, 58, 32 years; Mr. Sunday-Jatto, 51, 15 years; Mrs. Onyemelukwe, 54, 13 years; Mr. Ifaranmaye, 48, 9 years.
Their loss shocked the FIRS community, losing devoted, professional individuals who served the public remarkably.
Official Responses: FIRS Mourns and Investigates
In a statement, Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, expressed profound grief over the loss.
He stated, “It is with a heavy heart that FIRS announces the tragic loss of its four staff members during the Ebenezer fire incident.
The management and all staff mourn deeply and pledge support for the bereaved families.”
Adekanmbi confirmed FIRS is working with emergency agencies to find the fire’s cause and urgently review safety protocols nationwide.
This pledge contrasts with public outrage over repeated fire incidents, raising accountability questions about safety standards.
The Elumelu Factor: Business Giants and Silence
Tony Elumelu, Afriland Properties Chairman, cut short New York UNGA trip reacting to tragic Afriland Towers incident.
In his statement, he described the incident as devastating and announced a minute of silence across all companies under his group.
Elumelu’s expressions of sorrow and solidarity stand against a perplexing backdrop of silence.
Neither the building’s owners nor emergency agencies have provided detailed updates on the fate of other casualties and those injured in the fire.
This silence feeds public suspicion about possible negligence and inadequate safety measures at prominent business complexes in Lagos.
The Broader Toll: More Lives Lost Beyond FIRS
The fire did not spare other companies housed in Afriland Towers.
United Capital Plc, occupying the 3rd and 4th floors, confirmed six staff deaths, bringing the total confirmed fatalities to 10.
Lagos Fire Service rescued nine people; five resuscitated from near-death, four remain unconscious in hospital.
Videos and eyewitness accounts showed occupants desperately jumping from upper floors to escape raging flames.
These tragic images reveal emergency preparedness failures and questions about building design, fire safety compliance, and regulation enforcement.
Government and Emergency Response: Applause or Accountability?
Emergency responders praised for courage, but incident exposes serious deficiencies in Lagos’ regulatory oversight and preparedness.
Reports indicate that the fire brigade received the alert at 1:38 pm, but the building’s fire suppression and evacuation systems proved inadequate.
This incident is not the first of its kind in Lagos.
The tragedy at Afriland Towers rekindles memories of past lethal fires attributed to both negligence and systemic weaknesses.
The government’s role in enforcing fire safety laws remains under scrutiny as families mourn loved ones lost to preventable disasters.
Public Outrage and Demand for Answers
The silence from building owners and ambiguity from emergency agencies has stirred a backlash on social media and news outlets.
Citizens question why a landmark commercial tower, hosting critical federal agencies, lacks transparent safety measures.
Sponsors, stakeholders, and authorities face intense pressure to provide answers and prevent future incidents.
Critics argue that profitable real estate ventures must not prioritize profits over human lives.
The lack of prompt, clear communication about the incident’s full extent deepens mistrust in any official version of events.
The Human Cost: Families and Communities Shattered
Beyond statistics and official statements lie shattered families and devastated communities.
The deceased employees represented pillars of their families, with decades of service and commitment.
Support initiatives from FIRS and affiliated companies offer some solace, but these pale compared to the intolerable loss endured by their loved ones.
Moving Forward: Urgent Calls for Reform
Each loss signals the urgent need for infrastructure audits, emergency preparedness training, and transparent investigations into building safety.
The government, property owners, and corporate leaders must confront uncomfortable truths and prioritize human safety to restore public trust and prevent recurrence.
