Afriland Tower Fire: FIRS Mourn Loss Of Four Staff Members

By Akinwale Kasali

The Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, has announced the death of four of its staff in Tuesday’s fire incident at Afriland Towers, Broad Street, Lagos.

FIRS, a tenant at the Afriland Tower,  occupying the sixth and seventh floors of the building, disclosed that the victims who lost their lives include: Ekelikhostse George (Assistant Director), David Sunday-Jatto (Assistant Director), Nkem Onyemelukwe (Senior Manager), and Peter Ifaranmaye (Manager).

A statement, signed by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman,  reads: “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.

“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”.

Zacch Adedeji, FIRS Chairman, also expressed deep grief, saying he was shattered by the tragedy.

“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 said.

“Yesterday was a stark reminder of what truly matters: our irreplaceable people, those who walk through our doors each day and share our mission. I learnt of this on my way to the US, en route to New York for UNGA.”

Adedeji revealed that he cut short his trip to return to Lagos as a mark of respect to the departed colleagues.

“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.

“I also want to thank all those who supported in one way or the other, from emergency responders and first aid workers to members of the public who showed courage and compassion.

“May this never happen again in our Group. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.”

A minute’s silence was however observed today at 12:00 noon WAT across all the group companies.