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The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Heirs Holdings have been thrown into mourning following a tragic fire that engulfed Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos, on Tuesday, claiming the lives of their staff.
In a statement signed by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Executive Chairman, the service confirmed the death of four staff members in the incident. The victims were identified as Mrs. Ekelikhostse George (Assistant Director), Mr. David Sunday-Jatto (Assistant Director), Mrs. Nkem Onyemelukwe (Senior Manager), and Mr. Peter Ifaranmaye (Manager).
Adekanmbi explained that the deceased staff were at work in one of the two FIRS offices located on the sixth and seventh floors of the Towers when the tragedy struck.
“FIRS is one of the tenants occupying the Towers, with our Medium Tax Audit and Onikan Emerging Tax Office housed on the sixth and seventh floors,” the statement read.
He said the Service’s security and safety officials quickly mobilised and contacted the fire service upon receiving alerts, but thick dark smoke had already begun to billow from the building before responders arrived.
“The management and entire staff are in deep shock and sorrow over the development. They offer their condolences to the grieving families and are in touch with the families of our departed colleagues whose commitment to excellence, dedication and professionalism were never in doubt. We will provide all the necessary support at this trying time,” Adekanmbi said.
He added that FIRS would continue working closely with relevant agencies in Lagos to determine the cause of the fire, while also reviewing safety measures across all FIRS offices, whether rented or owned, nationwide.
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Similarly, Heirs Holdings and the United Bank for Africa (UBA) also confirmed that they lost staff members in the blaze. Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings and UBA, described the incident as devastating in a message addressed to staff on Wednesday, September 17.
“I am shattered by yesterday’s devastating incident at Afriland Towers that took the lives of our dear colleagues. No words can capture the magnitude of this loss — not for their families who loved them, not for the friends who valued them, and not for those of us who worked beside them. Yesterday was a stark reminder of what truly matters: our irreplaceable people, those who walk through our doors each day and share our mission,” Elumelu wrote.
He disclosed that he had cut short a planned trip to the United States, where he was scheduled to attend the United Nations General Assembly, to return immediately to Lagos in honour of the victims.
Elumelu further directed that all Heirs Holdings companies observe a minute of silence on Wednesday, September 17, and pledged that the group would support the families of the deceased. He also announced that a memorial service would be held in the coming days to honour the victims, while commending emergency responders, first aid workers, and members of the public who displayed courage during the fire.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS) said preliminary investigations indicated that the fire began in the inverter room located in the basement of the six-storey Afriland Towers, which also houses a UBA branch.
Deputy Controller General Ogabi Olajide said the emergency call was received at 1:38 p.m., prompting the deployment of firefighting teams from Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu stations. The fire caused smoke to spread across several floors, forcing evacuations and complicating rescue efforts.
While full investigations into the cause of the incident continue, both FIRS and Heirs Holdings have pledged comprehensive support to the grieving families and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening workplace safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
