The tragic fire that tore through Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island, has now claimed ten lives, sending waves of grief across families, corporate offices, and government circles.
Six employees of United Capital Plc, a financial services firm occupying the 3rd and 4th floors of the six-storey building, were confirmed dead on Thursday. This comes just a day after the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) announced the loss of four of its senior staff members.
The fire, which officials say started in the inverter room of the basement around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, quickly filled the building with thick smoke, forcing many occupants to flee through windows and stairways. Rescue teams from the Federal Fire Service, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and other agencies battled for hours to contain the blaze and evacuate victims. At least nine people were rescued, with five revived on site, while four remained unconscious.
United Capital, in a sombre statement, described the passing of its staff as “an immeas“Our departed colleagues were an integral part of our company and family. Their painful loss leaves an emptiness that words cannot describe. We extend our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones, while providing all the support we can in this period of grief,” the company said, adding that a memorial service is being planned.
The FIRS identified its deceased staff members as Mrs. Ekelikhostse George (Assistant Director), Mr. David Sunday-Jatto (Assistant Director), Mrs. Nkem Onyemelukwe (Senior Manager), and Mr. Peter Ifaranmaye (Manager). In a statement, the service described them as “dedicated officers whose contributions to the national revenue service will not be forgotten.”
Scenes of grief unfolded as families gathered outside the tower and at nearby hospitals. A relative of one of the United Capital staff, who pleaded not to be named, sobbed as she spoke:
“She left home that morning full of life, telling me she would be back before evening. Now I am told she will never return. We are broken. We don’t even know how to move on from this.”
Another mourner, the brother of one of the deceased FIRS officials, expressed anger alongside grief:
“This should never have happened. How can smoke fill a whole building this fast? Where were the safety systems? My brother was only 42; he still had so much to live for".
Government officials have also expressed shock and sorrow. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described the incident as “a national tragedy that must never be repeated” and directed federal agencies to work closely with Lagos State in investigating the cause of the fire.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who visited the scene, said, “This is a deeply painful moment for Lagos. We mourn with the families of the victims and assure Lagosians that investigations will be thorough. Building safety standards must be enforced, and lessons must be learned from this tragedy.”
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, added:
“The loss of lives is unacceptable. We will ensure that regulations guiding public buildings are reviewed and strengthened to prevent a recurrence.”
Afriland Properties, owners of the tower, confirmed that the blaze was triggered by an inverter system. The company said its emergency protocols were activated immediately, but admitted that the rapid spread of smoke complicated evacuation.
This disaster has once again raised urgent questions about fire safety compliance in Lagos’s crowded business district, where aging infrastructure, high-rise density, and delayed responses often magnify emergencies.
For the bereaved families, however, the questions are not about regulations, but about shattered lives. As one grieving colleague of the deceased put it outside the tower:
“These were not just employees, they were fathers, mothers, sisters, and friends. Their desks will remain empty, but their memories will stay with us forever.”
Six employees of United Capital Plc, a financial services firm occupying the 3rd and 4th floors of the six-storey building, were confirmed dead on Thursday. This comes just a day after the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) announced the loss of four of its senior staff members.
The fire, which officials say started in the inverter room of the basement around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, quickly filled the building with thick smoke, forcing many occupants to flee through windows and stairways. Rescue teams from the Federal Fire Service, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and other agencies battled for hours to contain the blaze and evacuate victims. At least nine people were rescued, with five revived on site, while four remained unconscious.
United Capital, in a sombre statement, described the passing of its staff as “an immeas“Our departed colleagues were an integral part of our company and family. Their painful loss leaves an emptiness that words cannot describe. We extend our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones, while providing all the support we can in this period of grief,” the company said, adding that a memorial service is being planned.
The FIRS identified its deceased staff members as Mrs. Ekelikhostse George (Assistant Director), Mr. David Sunday-Jatto (Assistant Director), Mrs. Nkem Onyemelukwe (Senior Manager), and Mr. Peter Ifaranmaye (Manager). In a statement, the service described them as “dedicated officers whose contributions to the national revenue service will not be forgotten.”
Scenes of grief unfolded as families gathered outside the tower and at nearby hospitals. A relative of one of the United Capital staff, who pleaded not to be named, sobbed as she spoke:
“She left home that morning full of life, telling me she would be back before evening. Now I am told she will never return. We are broken. We don’t even know how to move on from this.”
Another mourner, the brother of one of the deceased FIRS officials, expressed anger alongside grief:
“This should never have happened. How can smoke fill a whole building this fast? Where were the safety systems? My brother was only 42; he still had so much to live for".
Government officials have also expressed shock and sorrow. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described the incident as “a national tragedy that must never be repeated” and directed federal agencies to work closely with Lagos State in investigating the cause of the fire.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who visited the scene, said, “This is a deeply painful moment for Lagos. We mourn with the families of the victims and assure Lagosians that investigations will be thorough. Building safety standards must be enforced, and lessons must be learned from this tragedy.”
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, added:
“The loss of lives is unacceptable. We will ensure that regulations guiding public buildings are reviewed and strengthened to prevent a recurrence.”
Afriland Properties, owners of the tower, confirmed that the blaze was triggered by an inverter system. The company said its emergency protocols were activated immediately, but admitted that the rapid spread of smoke complicated evacuation.
This disaster has once again raised urgent questions about fire safety compliance in Lagos’s crowded business district, where aging infrastructure, high-rise density, and delayed responses often magnify emergencies.
For the bereaved families, however, the questions are not about regulations, but about shattered lives. As one grieving colleague of the deceased put it outside the tower:
“These were not just employees, they were fathers, mothers, sisters, and friends. Their desks will remain empty, but their memories will stay with us forever.”
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