Ten employees of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and United Capital Plc have died in a devastating fire outbreak at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos, on Tuesday.
Afriland Towers is a high-rise office complex that accommodates FIRS, United Capital Plc (UCAP), a United Bank of Africa (UBA) branch, and other financial institutions.
The fire reportedly started in the building’s inverter room before spreading to upper floors.
Videos circulating on social media showed trapped occupants escaping through windows of the skyscraper.
On Wednesday, FIRS and United Capital confirmed the loss of their staff members in separate statements.
FIRS disclosed it lost four officials, while UCAP confirmed the death of six employees in the blaze.
In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, Dare Adekanmbi, the deceased were named as Mrs Ekelikhostse George (Assistant Director), Mr David Sunday-Jatto (Assistant Director), Mrs Nkem Onyemelukwe (Senior Manager), and Mr Peter Ifaranmaye (Manager).
The victims were working on the sixth and seventh floors, 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 statement read.
The agency noted that its Medium Tax Audit and Onikan Emerging Tax Office are situated on the affected floors.
It added that security officers immediately contacted the fire service, but thick smoke had already overtaken the building.
FIRS said management and staff remain in shock and are supporting the families of the deceased.
“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 also mourned its late staff.
“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 partly read.
It added that preparations were ongoing for their burial.
“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.”
