Ten employees of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and United Capital Plc have died in the fire outbreak at Afriland Towers, Broad Street, Lagos, on Tuesday.
The fatalities were confirmed in separate statements issued by FIRS and United Capital Plc.
According to FIRS, four of its staff lost their lives, while UCP reported the death of six of its employees.
A statement signed by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, identified the victims as Mrs. Ekelikhostse George (Assistant Director), Mr. David Sunday-Jatto (Assistant Director), Mrs. Nkem Onyemelukwe (Senior Manager), and Mr. Peter Ifaranmaye (Manager).
The deceased were on the sixth and seventh floors of the building, which house two FIRS offices, when the incident occurred.
“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 agency said.
FIRS noted that its Medium Tax Audit and Onikan Emerging Tax Office are located on the affected floors. The agency added that although its Security and Safety officers quickly alerted the fire service, the building was already filled with smoke.
It further stated that management and staff remain in deep shock and have reached out to the families of the victims, pledging full support.
“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 added.
United Capital Plc also mourned the loss of its staff members.
“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.
“Our departed colleagues were an integral part of our company and family. Their painful loss leaves an immeasurable void.
“We extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones, and we continue to hold them in our thoughts and prayers, as well as providing all the support we can to them during this most difficult time,” the statement read.
The company added that it was preparing for the burial and a memorial service.
“We are making preparations for an appropriate memorial service to honour their lives and mark their passing with dignity and solemnity.
“We thank the emergency services and all those who responded, for their valiant assistance at the time of the incident.
“In this moment of untold grief, we stand together in solidarity, drawing strength from one another as we navigate this period.
“May the souls of the departed rest in peace.”
Panic erupted on Broad Street as smoke from the basement fire forced a mass evacuation. Videos from the scene captured terrified occupants leaping down while bystanders rushed with ladders and foamy materials to help.
Some trapped workers smashed windows to get air, while people below stretched out their arms to assist.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service later confirmed that the fire started in the inverter room in the basement of Afriland Towers.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic moments filled with screams as smoke spread quickly to the upper floors. Photos showed smoke pouring out of windows, with desperate occupants crowding ledges to escape the suffocating fumes.
Although the fire was eventually brought under control, several floors had already been engulfed in smoke.