President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the Federal Government; the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have expressed deep sorrow over Tuesday’s fire outbreak at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island.
Ten people were reported to have died in the inferno; several others were injured, while properties estimated at millions of naira were destroyed.
In a condolence message, the President commiserated with the families of the victims, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), United Capital, and the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, all of whom were affected by the tragedy.
In a statement yesterday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu also sympathised with Afriland Properties Limited, owners of the building, and those currently receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the incident.
The President praised emergency responders, including the Federal Fire Service, medical teams, first aiders, and members of the public, for their prompt and responsible intervention during the evacuation.
Consoling those who lost loved ones, President Tinubu called for increased caution, training, and vigilance to avert such a disaster in the future.
“President Tinubu prays that God Almighty will receive the souls of the departed and grant quick recovery to the injured,” the statement added.
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Also, the Federal Government yesterday described the fire as the most painful and devastating.
In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the deaths in the fire as a national loss.
Idris said the Federal Government was working closely with the Lagos State government to ensure that such tragic occurrences are thoroughly investigated and that appropriate measures are taken to prevent their recurrence.
The statement reads: “The Federal Government is deeply grieved by the tragic fire incident at the Afriland Tower in Lagos, which claimed the lives of some senior officials of the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the United Capital PLC, while leaving scores injured.
“This is a most painful and devastating loss, not only to the families and institutions directly affected, but to the nation as a whole. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, colleagues, and friends of the departed, as well as to the FIRS and UCP.
“Our thoughts and prayers are also with all those who sustained injuries, and we wish them a full and speedy recovery. The Federal Government is working closely with the Lagos State government to ensure that such tragic occurrences are thoroughly investigated and that appropriate measures are taken to prevent their recurrence in the future.
“May the Almighty comfort the bereaved, heal the wounded, and grant the nation the strength to overcome this painful moment.”
In her condolence message, the First Lady commiserated with Governor Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State residents, and corporate organisations affected by the inferno, including the FIRS and UBA.
She described the incident as a devastating loss, particularly for the families, colleagues, and loved ones of the deceased and the injured now battling to recover.
“May God Almighty comfort the families, colleagues, and loved ones of the departed and the injured at this time of grief and pain,” she said.
Mrs. Tinubu also prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed and for the quick healing of the injured.
Also, Governor Sanwo-Olu sympathised with families, organisations, and the residents who lost their loved ones and goods in the fire.
Sanwo-Olu, who described the incident as unfortunate, said he was shocked by the tragedy that claimed lives and destroyed property worth millions of naira.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, the governor commiserated with the management and staff of the FIRS and UBA Plc, the financial and investment services firm, which lost four and six staff members in the inferno.
“The fire incident at Afriland Towers on Broad Street was worrisome and a significant loss to the Lagos State Government, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, United Capital PLC, and other companies and individuals.
“It is with a heavy heart that I received news of the fire outbreak.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, management, and staff of all the organisations that lost their loved ones in the ugly incident. I wish the injured persons a speedy recovery,” he added.
The governor also extended his condolences to traders at the nearby Central Plaza, near Mandilas Market, who reportedly lost goods and assets worth millions of naira in the inferno.
He pledged his administration’s continued commitment to strengthening safety measures and emergency response capacity to prevent and contain such incidents.
Sanwo-Olu commended the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS).
He also praised the Federal Fire Service and other first responders for their swift action in extinguishing the fire and minimising casualties.
NAN reports that the incident was one of the most serious commercial building fires on Lagos Island in recent years, which has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of building safety codes, installation of fire detection systems and public awareness on fire prevention.