Samuel Omang
It was a day that began like any other on Broad Street, Lagos Island. The bustling business hub, home to banks, offices, and corporate towers, suddenly turned into a scene of horror on Tuesday when fire engulfed Afriland Towers. By the time the smoke cleared, four staff members of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had lost their lives, leaving the agency and the nation in mourning.
The fire broke out on the sixth and seventh floors of Afriland Towers, where the FIRS Medium Tax Audit Office and Onikan Emerging Tax Office are located. Witnesses described plumes of thick black smoke curling into the sky as workers scrambled for safety. Security officials within the building quickly raised the alarm and reached out to the fire service. But by the time emergency responders arrived, smoke had already spread across several floors, trapping some staff members inside. Nine people were rescued, five resuscitated, while others managed to escape unhurt. For four FIRS officers, however, the day would be their last.
In a heartfelt condolence message, the FIRS leadership expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss, describing the deceased staff as professionals whose dedication and commitment had been exemplary. “The unfortunate incident has thrown the entire FIRS community into mourning,” the agency stated. Management further pledged to remain in close contact with the bereaved families, offering full support as they navigate the difficult days ahead.
While grief weighs heavily on the institution, FIRS also acknowledged the urgent need for improved workplace safety. The Service announced that it is reviewing and strengthening fire and emergency protocols across all its offices nationwide—both rented and owned—to ensure that such a tragedy never repeats itself. Safety experts have often warned about the risks in Lagos’s high-rise office spaces, where congestion, faulty electrical systems, and insufficient safety drills increase vulnerability to fire outbreaks. Tuesday’s disaster has once again placed these concerns in the spotlight, demanding swift reforms.
The names of the four departed staff have not yet been publicly released, but within the FIRS family, colleagues remember them as committed professionals who gave their best to the service of the nation. Their absence will leave a void not just in the workplace but in the lives of the families and friends they leave behind. “Their professionalism and dedication were exemplary,” the agency said in tribute. For many, that statement captures not just their work but their spirit—individuals who carried out their duties with quiet determination.
For the bustling Lagos Island business district, the fire was another grim reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of safety. Only hours after the Afriland Towers blaze, another fire gutted a nearby plaza, compounding the sense of unease in the area. Traders, bankers, and office workers who frequent Broad Street have called for stricter enforcement of fire safety standards in commercial properties.
As investigations continue into the cause of the Afriland Towers fire, the memory of the four lost staff will linger. For FIRS, the tragedy is both a painful blow and a clarion call—to protect not only Nigeria’s revenue but also the lives of the men and women who serve. In the words of one Lagos resident who watched the chaos unfold: “We must learn from this. Buildings can be rebuilt, but lives, once lost, are gone forever.”