Ten Persons Confirmed De@d in Afriland Tower Fire
Lagos Island’s Broad Street, the beating heart of Nigeria’s commercial capital, is still reeling from Tuesday’s catastrophic fire at Afriland Towers — a six-storey high-rise that once housed some of the country’s most important financial and public institutions.
The de@th toll from the inferno, which broke out during working hours and quickly engulfed several floors of the building, has now risen to 10. Six more deaths were confirmed on Thursday by United Capital Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading financial and investment services firms whose offices were located on the 3rd and 4th floors of the tower.
The tragedy has sparked mourning across corporate Nigeria, reignited urgent conversations about workplace safety, and left families and colleagues of the victims shattered as they struggle to process the scale of the loss.
In an emotional statement released Thursday morning, United Capital Plc confirmed the loss of six of its employees:
“It is with profound grief that the Management and Staff of United Capital Plc announce the passing of six of our dear colleagues, following the tragic fire at Afriland Towers on Tuesday, September 16, 2025,” the company wrote.
The statement went on to describe the victims as “an integral part of our company and family,” promising that the firm would “provide all the support we can to their families during this most difficult time” and organize a memorial service to honour their lives.
For United Capital, this is more than a corporate tragedy — it is a human disaster that has cut short the lives of professionals who were reportedly in the middle of routine business meetings when disaster struck.
The confirmation of six additional deaths comes just 24 hours after the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) disclosed that four of its senior officials perished in the blaze.
Those killed from FIRS have been identified as:
- Mrs. Ekelikhostse George — Assistant Director
- Mr. David Sunday-Jatto — Assistant Director
- Mrs. Nkem Onyemelukwe — Senior Manager
- Mr. Peter Ifaranmaye — Manager
In a statement signed by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, the agency described the loss as a “devastating blow” to its workforce.
“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,” the statement read.
The agency confirmed that its security and safety officials raised the alarm as soon as smoke was detected, but by the time first responders arrived, “thick dark smoke was already billowing out of the building.”
Eyewitnesses who were present on Broad Street when the fire broke out paint a chilling picture of how quickly the situation spiraled out of control.
“I was at the ATM across the road when I noticed smoke coming from one of the upper floors,” said Chuks Nwosu, a trader. “Within minutes, the smoke turned black and started pouring out of the windows. People were screaming for help, some were waving white cloths, but we couldn’t do anything until the fire service came.”
Rescue workers reportedly faced difficulties gaining access to the upper floors due to intense heat and thick smoke. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that at least nine people were rescued, five of whom had to be resuscitated on the scene before being rushed to hospital.
Fire trucks from multiple stations were deployed, with firefighters battling the blaze for over three hours before it was brought under control. Ambulances from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) ferried victims to nearby hospitals while police cordoned off the busy commercial area.
Emergency responders have been praised for preventing what could have been an even greater tragedy. But questions remain about whether the building had functional sprinklers, fire alarms, and adequate evacuation plans.
Fire incidents in Lagos are not new — but the Afriland Towers tragedy is already being described as one of the most significant in years due to its location, the profile of its victims, and the questions it raises about fire safety compliance in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
Safety experts have long warned that many office towers on Lagos Island, some of which are decades old, are “fire traps” due to poor maintenance, lack of sprinkler systems, and outdated electrical wiring.
“This is what we have been warning about,” said Engr. Dele Ogunmola, a fire safety consultant. “Until we enforce fire drills, regular safety inspections, and installation of modern firefighting systems, we will keep losing lives.”
Since the tragedy, several companies operating in similar high-rise buildings on Broad Street have begun reviewing their own safety protocols. Some have reportedly instructed staff to work from home until further notice, while property managers scramble to conduct emergency inspections of fire alarms and escape routes.
United Capital has pledged to work with safety regulators to review its own procedures and ensure that such a disaster never happens again.
This incident has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety laws by Lagos State authorities. Civil society groups have called for a full investigation into the incident, demanding to know whether Afriland Towers had been certified for safety and whether previous inspections flagged any risks.
“The government must investigate and publish its findings. If there was negligence, those responsible must face justice,” said Ayo Ademilua, coordinator of the Lagos Fire Safety Coalition.
For now, however, the focus remains on mourning the dead. Both United Capital and the FIRS have announced plans for memorial services. Colleagues and friends of the victims have taken to social media to share tributes, posting photos, condolence messages, and memories of their final conversations.
One emotional post by a United Capital staff member read:
“I still cannot believe that Chika, who sat opposite me every day, is gone. Just last week, we were joking about Friday lunch. Now her desk is empty. This pain is unbearable.”
As Lagosians grapple with this tragedy, the Afriland Towers fire is set to become a case study in crisis management, corporate preparedness, and the human cost of infrastructure neglect.
While the dead are mourned, survivors and safety advocates are demanding action — better enforcement of building codes, compulsory fire drills, improved response times, and investment in modern firefighting equipment.
The coming weeks will reveal whether this tragedy will lead to meaningful reforms or become just another headline in a city accustomed to disasters.
For now, Broad Street is a place of flowers, candles, and unanswered questions. And for the families of the 10 who died, life will never be the same again.