TINUBU MOURNS VICTIMS OF AFRILAND TOWERS FIRE, CONDOLES FIRS, UNITED CAPITAL

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the families of victims of the fire incident at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island, which claimed several lives on Tuesday.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser, Bayo Onanuga, the President extended condolences to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), which lost four employees, and to United Capital, which lost six workers in the tragedy. He also sympathised with United Bank of Africa (UBA) Plc, Afriland Properties Limited, and others affected.

“President Tinubu extends his condolences to the management and staff of Afriland Properties Limited, the FIRS, United Capital, UBA, and particularly those who lost loved ones in the inferno, and the injured who are currently receiving medical attention,” the statement read.

The President praised the swift intervention of emergency responders — including the Federal Fire Service, medical personnel, first aiders, and members of the public — for their “deep sense of responsibility” in evacuating occupants from the six-storey building. He urged greater caution, training, and vigilance to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

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The fire, which started in the inverter room located in the building’s basement, triggered panic on Broad Street as thick smoke engulfed several floors. Viral videos showed occupants leaping from windows to escape the blaze.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that it received a distress call at 1:38 p.m. and dispatched firefighters from Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu stations, who contained the situation before it escalated further.

The managements of the FIRS and United Capital later confirmed the deaths of some of their staff in the inferno.