President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and to the management and staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), United Capital, and United Bank for Africa (UBA), following Tuesday’s fire outbreak at the Afriland Building on Broad Street, Lagos Island.
The inferno, which gutted the high-rise tower, claimed the lives of seven victims, who were confirmed dead in various hospitals across Lagos State after being evacuated from the building. Among the casualties were four staff members of the FIRS, which occupies the sixth and seventh floors of the tower.
In a statement signed on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President also commiserated with Afriland Properties Limited, which manages the building, over the loss of lives. He extended heartfelt sympathy to those injured, who are still receiving medical treatment.
“President Tinubu extends his condolences to the management and staff of Afriland Properties Limited, the FIRS, UBA, and particularly those who lost loved ones in the inferno, and the injured who are currently receiving medical attention,” the statement read.
The President praised the efforts of emergency responders, including the Federal Fire Service, first aiders, medical personnel, and members of the public, for their quick intervention and sense of duty during the evacuation.
He urged increased caution, training, and alertness in public and private institutions to avert such tragedies in the future, while praying for the repose of the departed and speedy recovery of those still battling for their lives.
Doctors are said to be fighting to save the lives of some of the survivors. The incident was one of two separate fire outbreaks that rocked the Lagos Island Business District on Tuesday, injuring several people and destroying goods worth millions of naira.
