FIRS releases identities of 4 officials killed in Afriland towers fire

A devastating fire broke out on Tuesday at Afriland Towers, a prominent multi-storey building on Broad Street, Lagos, housing major financial institutions, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), United Capital Plc (UCAP), and a branch of United Bank for Africa (UBA).

According to reports, the inferno began in the building’s inverter room before rapidly spreading to other floors. Videos that circulated online captured moments of chaos, with frightened occupants forced to climb through windows in desperate attempts to escape the flames.

By Wednesday, the tragedy deepened when the FIRS confirmed the loss of four of its senior staff members in the incident. The victims were among those trapped as the fire raged through the building.

A statement issued by Dare Adekanmbi, media aide to Zacch Adedeji, the FIRS chairperson, said the deceased were working at the agency’s offices on the sixth and seventh floors when the tragedy occurred.

TheCable understands that the four officials died after inhaling thick smoke that enveloped the building during the inferno.

Below are the names of the deceased FIRS staff:

George Faith Ekelikhostse: The late Faith was an assistant director with the FIRS. She was 58. TheCable understands that she died just three days to her voluntary retirement, after 32 years of service.

Sunday-Jatto David: David, 51, was also an assistant director with the FIRS and had served for 15 years.

Ifaranmaye Peter: Peter was a manager with nine years of service. He was 48 years old.

Onyemelukwe Nkem: Nkem was a senior manager with 13 years in service. She was 54 years old.