A terrible fire broke out on Tuesday at Afriland Towers, a multi-storey building on Broad Street, Lagos. The building is home to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), United Capital Plc (UCAP), a branch of United Bank for Africa (UBA), and other financial offices, News360 Nigeria reports.
The fire reportedly began in the building’s inverter room before spreading to other areas. Videos shared online showed people trying to escape through windows in panic as the flames spread.
On Wednesday, FIRS confirmed that four of its employees died in the fire. According to Dare Adekanmbi, media aide to FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji, the victims were trapped by smoke while working on the sixth and seventh floors of the agency’s offices.
The officials who lost their lives have been named as follows:
- George Faith Ekelikhostse (58): Assistant Director with 32 years of service, who passed away just three days before her planned voluntary retirement.
- Sunday-Jatto David (51): Assistant Director with 15 years of service.
- Ifaranmaye Peter (48): Manager with nine years of service.
- Onyemelukwe Nkem (54): Senior Manager with 13 years of service.
Reports indicate that the four FIRS staff members died after inhaling thick smoke during the fire.
The tragedy has deeply affected the FIRS community. Colleagues have described the deceased as hardworking and committed professionals whose absence will be strongly felt.
