The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has confirmed the identities of four of its senior staff members who lost their lives in the inferno that gutted Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos, on Tuesday.
The deceased officials were: Mrs Ekelikhostse George (Assistant Director), Mr David Sunday-Jatto (Assistant Director), Mrs Nkem Onyemelukwe (Senior Manager), and Mr Peter Ifaranmaye (Manager).
They were said to have been trapped while carrying out official duties at one of the service’s offices located on the sixth and seventh floors of the high-rise building when the fire broke out.
A statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, Mr Dare Adekanmbi, described the development as a devastating loss that has thrown the entire service into mourning.
According to him,
“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, Broad Street, Lagos, on Tuesday.
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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.”
He added that the management was in touch with the bereaved families, assuring them of full support during the difficult period.
“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,” the statement read.
Adekanmbi also revealed that safety assessments would be conducted in all FIRS offices nationwide and that the agency was collaborating with emergency authorities to identify the cause of the incident.
According to rescue personnel, the inverter room in the tower’s basement was the first source of the fire. Smoke swiftly travelled through multiple stories, ensnaring workers and spreading panic
