Seven Victims Confirmed Dead in Lagos Afriland Tower Fire
Seven victims have been confirmed dead following the fire incident at Afriland Tower located in the Lagos Island area of Lagos State. According to reports, the victims died in hospitals across the state after being evacuated from the high-rise building. Doctors are currently battling to save the lives of the remaining victims.The tragedy was part of two separate fire outbreaks that rocked the Lagos Island Business District on Tuesday, leaving several others injured and destroying goods worth millions of naira.The first fire broke out at Afriland Tower in Marina, while the second engulfed Mandilas Market and adjoining plazas along Taiwo Street. According to multiple videos shared on social media, individuals were seen attempting to jump from the high-rise building, while others were rescued with the aid of ladders by residents and passersby. Many sustained injuries before the arrival of firefighters.The Deputy Controller of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Ogabi Olajide, stated on Tuesday that 11 persons had been evacuated into ambulances, with five successfully resuscitated. However, four Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) staff members were confirmed dead in the fire.The deceased FIRS staff members were identified as:
Mrs. Ekelikhostse George (Assistant Director)
Mr. David Sunday-Jatto (Assistant Director)
Mrs. Nkem Onyemelukwe (Senior Manager)
Mr. Peter Ifaranmaye (Manager)
The FIRS confirmed the loss in a statement, noting that their security officials quickly contacted the fire service, but by then, thick smoke was already billowing out of the building.
An anonymous Lagos State Government official confirmed to PUNCH Metro that seven casualties had so far been recorded. According to the official, victims died at three separate hospitals – General Hospital, Odan; St Nicholas Hospital, Campbell Street; and Avon Hospital, Surulere. Four victims are still being treated in various hospitals.Related News: Afriland Properties Confirms Fire Outbreak at Afriland Towers, Lagos IslandUBA Clarifies Lagos Island Fire Incident, Assures Customers of SafetySome staff members of the UBA branch quartered in the building are also believed to have lost their lives. While UBA has not officially confirmed the loss, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, mourned staff members in an internal message:
“I am shattered by yesterday’s devastating incident at the Afriland Towers, which took the lives of our dear colleagues. No words can capture the magnitude of this loss. Yesterday was a stark reminder of what truly matters: our irreplaceable people.”
Elumelu disclosed that he cut short his trip to the United States for the United Nations General Assembly to return to Lagos as a mark of respect. He announced that a memorial would be held in the coming days to honor the departed staff while the group continued to provide support to their families.
The mood at the Afriland Tower on Wednesday was tense and quiet. Security operatives sealed off the premises as only a few UBA staff members entered the tower under heavy guard. An eyewitness, Abubakar, said the fire started around 1:45 p.m. with thick smoke emerging from the side of the building near the transformer area:
“At first, we didn’t see flames – just thick black smoke. Then people started shouting for help. Some even jumped down from the building, and soft foams were thrown on the ground for them to land on.”
Another trader, Itunnu Adebisi, initially mistook the smoke for a generator fault until it became thicker. Market owners and passersby improvised to rescue victims before emergency responders arrived. A pregnant woman was also among those rescued.
Witnesses revealed that the UBA fire service bus arrived before the Lagos State Fire Service, with the Federal Fire Service joining later. However, panic from bank staff and people in the banking hall worsened the situation. Business activities quickly resumed around the bank premises on Wednesday, with traders seen operating under the watch of policemen.Barely hours after the Afriland incident, another inferno gutted parts of Mandilas Market and three adjoining plazas, including Central Plaza, Yol Plaza, and Obama & AO Building. Over 1,000 stalls and goods worth millions of naira were destroyed. When PUNCH Metro visited the scene, smoke was still rising from the burnt-out stalls while traders lamented their losses.A sales apprentice, Obinna, said the fire began in one of the market’s old buildings, while another trader linked the fire to possible electrical faults after a power outage.The fire adds to growing concerns over safety standards in Lagos’ high-density commercial centres, where electrical faults, generator malfunctions, and inverter-related accidents are recurring risks. Regulators and property developers have intensified calls for stricter enforcement of building safety codes, particularly for older high-rise structures in the metropolis.
