Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has commiserated with families, organisations, and traders affected by Tuesday’s fire outbreak at Afriland Towers, a six-storey commercial building on Broad Street, Lagos Island.
The fire, which also spread to parts of the Central Plaza near Mandilas Market, claimed several lives and destroyed goods worth millions of naira.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu described the incident as “unfortunate and shocking,” noting that it was a major loss to Lagos and to institutions directly affected.
He expressed condolences to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and United Capital Plc, which confirmed the deaths of four and six staff members, respectively.
“The fire incident at Afriland Towers was worrisome and a significant loss to Lagos State, FIRS, United Capital Plc, and other companies and individuals, with property worth millions destroyed,” the governor said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and organisations that lost their loved ones. I also wish the injured a speedy recovery.”
Sanwo-Olu also sympathised with traders at the Central Plaza and pledged that his administration would strengthen fire safety measures across the state. He praised the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Ambulance Service, and the Federal Fire Service for their quick response, which he said helped reduce casualties.
On Tuesday, a devastating fire broke out at Afriland Towers, engulfing the building and spreading to nearby plazas. Among the victims were four FIRS staff working on the sixth and seventh floors. Others died later in hospitals across Lagos.
President Bola Tinubu has also mourned the victims, extending condolences to their families as well as to the management of FIRS, United Capital Plc, and United Bank for Africa. He commended emergency responders and called for increased vigilance, training, and preparedness to prevent future disasters.
