Four FIRS Staff Die in Lagos High-Rise Fire
By Patience Ikpeme
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced with sorrow the tragic death of four of its staff members following a fire that swept through Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos, on Tuesday. The deceased staff were working at one of two FIRS offices on the sixth and seventh floors of the building when the incident occurred.
A statement from Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS chairman, identified the deceased as Mrs. Ekelikhostse George (Assistant Director), Mr. David Sunday-Jatto (Assistant Director), Mrs. Nkem Onyemelukwe (Senior Manager), and Mr. Peter Ifaranmaye (Manager).
The FIRS management and staff were said to be in deep shock and grief over the tragedy. “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,” the statement said. FIRS officials, according to the statement, acted swiftly upon receiving the alert, mobilizing and contacting the fire service, but by the time they arrived, thick dark smoke was already billowing from the building.
The FIRS offered its condolences to the grieving families and confirmed it is in touch with them. The statement described the departed colleagues as possessing a “commitment to excellence, dedication and professionalism” that was never in doubt. “We will provide all the necessary support at this trying time,” the statement added.
The FIRS also said it is working in collaboration with all relevant agencies in Lagos to get to the root cause of the unfortunate incident. The statement concluded by saying that as the investigation proceeds, the agency will be “reviewing safety measures across FIRS offices in both rented and owned buildings nationwide.”
