The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of four of its staff members in a fire outbreak at Afriland Towers, Lagos, on Tuesday.
The victims were identified as Ekelikhostse George, Assistant Director; David Sunday-Jatto, Assistant Director; Nkem Onyemelukwe, Senior Manager; and Peter Ifaranmaye, Manager. They were working at one of the two FIRS offices located on the sixth and seventh floors of the building when the fire struck.
Chairman of Afriland Properties Plc and United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, who cut short his trip to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York to return to Lagos, described the tragedy as “a devastating loss,” noting that the Afriland family had been thrown into mourning.
FIRS Chairman’s media adviser, Dare Adekanmbi, in an official statement, described the incident as a heavy blow to the agency.
“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,” he said.
The statement added:
“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.”
Elumelu, visibly shaken, 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.”
He added that the tragedy should be met with compassion 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 also commended the bravery of emergency responders, first aid workers, and members of the public who acted swiftly to help contain the crisis.
He revealed that he had been 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.”
“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,” Elumelu assured.
He further announced that all companies under his group, including UBA, would observe a one-minute silence at 12 noon in honour of the victims.
