Ten staff members of both the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the United Capital Plc lost their lives in a widely reported fire at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos, on Tuesday.
The deaths have been confirmed in separate statements by the FIRS and United Capital Plc.
While FIRS said it lost four of its staff members, UCP, on the other hand, lost six staff to the incident.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, Dare Adekanmbi, identified the victims as Mrs Ekelikhostse George (Assistant Director), Mr David Sunday-Jatto (Assistant Director), Mrs Nkem Onyemelukwe (Senior Manager), and Mr Peter Ifaranmaye (Manager).
The deceased were working on the sixth and seventh floors of the building, which houses two FIRS offices, when the tragedy occurred.
“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,” the statement read.
The agency said its Medium Tax Audit and Onikan Emerging Tax Office are based on the affected floors.
It added that its Security and Safety officials quickly contacted the fire service when alerted, but thick smoke had already engulfed the building.
FIRS said its management and staff are in deep shock and have reached out to the families of the deceased, promising to provide all necessary support.
“We are working in collaboration with all relevant agencies in Lagos to get to the root cause of the unfortunate incident. While this is going on, we will be reviewing safety measures across FIRS offices in both rented and owned buildings nationwide,” the statement said.
The UCP also mourned the loss of its staff members.
“It is with profound grief that the Management and Staff of United Capital Plc announce the passing of six of our dear colleagues, following the tragic fire at Afriland Towers, on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
“Our departed colleagues were an integral part of our company and family. Their painful loss leaves an immeasurable void.
“We extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones, and we continue to hold them in our thoughts and prayers, as well as providing all the support we can to them during this most difficult time,” the statement read in part, adding that it was preparing for their burial.
“We are making preparations for an appropriate memorial service to honour their lives and mark their passing with dignity and solemnity.
“We thank the emergency services and all those who responded, for their valiant assistance at the time of the incident.
“In this moment of untold grief, we stand together in solidarity, drawing strength from one another as we navigate this period.
“May the souls of the departed rest in peace.”