The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has lamented the tragic loss of four of its employees in the devastating fire that broke out at Afriland Towers in Lagos on Tuesday.
FIRS said the deceased staff were working at one of the two FIRS offices housed on the sixth and seventh floors of the towers when the tragedy struck.
The fire claimed the lives of Ekelikhostse George, an assistant director; David Sunday-Jatto, an assistant director; Nkem Onyemelukwe, senior manager; and Peter Ifaranmaye, manager, all of whom served diligently at the FIRS offices located on the sixth and seventh floors of the building.
Also, expressing his profound grief over the incident, chairman of Afriland Properties Plc and United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, cut short his trip to the United Nations General Assembly in New York to return to Lagos. He described the incident as “a devastating loss,” saying the Afriland family had been thrown into mourning.
The special adviser on media to the FIRS chairman, Dare Adekanmbi, in an official statement, described the incident as a heavy blow to the service, which has since entered a period of mourning and reflection. “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the tragic loss of four of our colleagues during the fire incident at Afriland Towers. Their commitment to excellence, dedication, and professionalism were never in doubt, and they will be sorely missed,” the statement read.
“It is with a heavy heart that FIRS announces the tragic loss of four of its staff members during the fire incident at Afriland Towers in Lagos, on Tuesday.
“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.
“Our Security and Safety officials quickly mobilised and contacted the fire service as soon as they were alerted. On getting to the scene, thick dark smoke was already billowing out of the building.
“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.
“We are working in collaboration with all relevant agencies in Lagos to get to the root cause of the unfortunate incident. While this is going on, we will be reviewing safety measures across FIRS offices in both rented and owned buildings nationwide,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Afriland Properties Plc chairman, Tony Elumelu, said, “I am shattered by the 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,” Elumelu said.
He described the fire incident as a moment to rally around the bereaved families with compassion, care, and solidarity. “Afriland Properties stands firmly by the families of the deceased and will extend every possible support to them during this difficult time,” Elumelu assured. He also commended the bravery and quick action of emergency responders, first aid workers, and members of the public, whose courage helped manage the crisis amid the tragedy.
The billionaire businessman disclosed that he was already en route to New York for the UNGA when he received the news, which forced him to turn back to Lagos immediately in honour of the departed.
According to him, beyond grief, the focus should now be compassion, care and solidarity with those directly affected. He assured that Afriland Properties would stand firmly by the families of the deceased and extend full support in their difficult moment.
“As we navigate this grief, I urge you all to reach out to those who are receiving care. In the coming days, we will convene colleagues in a memorial to honour the memories of the departed, as we provide support to their families,” he said.
Elumelu also commended emergency responders, first aid workers and members of the public whose swift actions, he noted, showed courage and compassion in the face of tragedy.
He announced that all companies under his group, including UBA, would observe a one-minute silence at 12 noon in memory of the victims.
