The Federal Inland Revenue Service has expressed deep sorrow over the death of four staff members in Tuesday’s fire incident at Afriland Towers, Broad Street, Lagos.
The tragedy, which has thrown the entire FIRS community into mourning, occurred on the sixth and seventh floors of the building where the Medium Tax Audit Office and Onikan Emerging Tax Office are located.
According to the agency in a condolence post on its X handle on Wednesday, its security and safety officials quickly alerted the fire service, but thick smoke had already spread through the building before emergency responders arrived.
The post reads, “The Management and staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of four of our colleagues in the fire incident that occurred on Tuesday at Afriland Towers, Broad Street, Lagos. The unfortunate incident has thrown the entire FIRS community into mourning.
READ ALSO: Fire breaks out at six-storey Afriland Tower on Lagos Island
“FIRS occupies the sixth and seventh floors of Afriland Towers, where the Medium Tax Audit and Onikan Emerging Tax Office are located. Upon being alerted, our Security and Safety officials swiftly mobilised and contacted the fire service, but by the time emergency responders arrived, thick smoke had already engulfed the building.”
The service added that it is maintaining close contact with the families of the victims and will provide every necessary support during this difficult period.
FIRS also disclosed that it is reviewing and strengthening safety protocols across all its offices nationwide to safeguard staff and prevent a recurrence.
“The Management and staff of FIRS extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. We honour the memory of our departed colleagues whose professionalism and dedication were exemplary.
“FIRS remains in close touch with the families and will provide every necessary support during this difficult time. In addition, we are reviewing and strengthening safety measures across all FIRS offices nationwide, both rented and owned, to ensure the safety of our people remains paramount,” it mourned.
On Tuesday, fire engulfed the Afriland Towers building.
According to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, nine people were rescued, five were resuscitated, while others managed to escape unhurt.
Names, pictures of four FIRS staff who died in Afriland Towers fire
Tragedy struck on Tuesday when a fire engulfed at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos, a multiple storey building that houses offices of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and United Capital Plc (UCAP), a branch of United Bank of Africa (UBA), and other financial institutions.
The fire was said to have started in the inverter room in the building’s before spreading upward.
Videos from the incident on social media showed occupants of the high-rise building escaping through the windows.
On Wednesday, the FIRS announced that four of its staff died in the incident.
A statement 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 incident occurred.
The FIRS staff were said to have died after inhaling thick smoke that covered the building during the incident.
Below are the names of the deceased FIRS staff.
George Faith Ekelikhostse
The late Fauth was an assistant director with the FIRS. She was 58. TheCable understands that she died three days to her voluntary retirement after 32 years of service.
Sunday-Jatto David
David, 51, was an assistant director with the FIRS and had served for 15 years.
Ifaranmaye Peter
Peter was a manager with nine years in service. He was 48 years old.
Onyemelukwe Nkem
Nkem was a senior manager with 13 years in service. She was 54 years old.
NECO releases 2025 SSCE results
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results, showing that 60.26 per cent of candidates met the benchmark for university admission.
Announcing the results on Wednesday at the council’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State, NECO Registrar, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, said 818,492 candidates obtained at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics.
He added that 1,144,496 candidates, representing 84.26 per cent, secured five credits and above in all subjects, irrespective of English and Mathematics.
Of the 1,367,210 candidates who registered for the exam, 1,358,339 sat for it, comprising 680,292 males and 678,047 females. The figures reflected near parity, with 685,514 males and 681,696 females registered.
Wushishi noted that details of malpractice cases and withheld results would be released after investigations are concluded.
