Category Nigeria News

The Afriland Towers fire, which claimed several lives on Tuesday, was the subject of a clarification from the Lagos State government.

According to officials, the blaze started in the basement of the six-story commercial building on Broad Street on Thursday.

The state government stated to the residents that the state’s top priority is always the safety of people’s lives and property.

At a press conference with first responder organizations, Gbenga Omotoso, the commissioner for information, made the findings public.

On Tuesday, panic seized control of Broad Street, Lagos Island, as a result of a six-storey building’s smoke-strengthening fire scare forced evacuation.

Onlookers rushed with ladders and foamy materials for support while the scene’s videos showed terrified occupants jumping down in fear.

While below stretched out their hands to catch them, strewn at glass windows to breathe.

However, Lanre Mojola, the Safety Commission’s director general, claimed victims “inhaled smoke while trying to leave the building.”

We received a distress call at 1:30 p.m., Mojola explained, and immediately mobilized LASAMBUS, LASEMA, and the Safety Commission.

He claimed that despite working safety systems, smoke quickly spread from the basement to every floor, berating many occupants.

“The tower had adequate alarms, exit points, and rescue equipment.” He claimed that people panicked as they breathed in smoke, which caused injuries.

Mojola urged high-rise owners to obtain proper certification from the government and made sure no one died from burns.

Rescue Efforts

Margaret Adeseye, the fire and rescue service’s director general, claimed her team arrived 20 minutes after the call was received.

“We received a call at 1:38 p.m. and arrived at 1:56 p.m.,” Adeseye said. Rescue efforts immediately began.

She confirmed that the fire started in the inverter room’s basement, with no injuries to the victims.

“There were three detectors, alarms, and exits. Some victims “fell in panic” and avoided escape routes, which worsened the situation,” she continued.

Dr. Wuraola Makinde, LASAMBUS director, claimed that many survivors had already left and reunited with their families and received prompt treatment.

The government also admired traders who lost their goods in another fire incident at Central Plaza near Mandilas Market.

Organizations’ Statement

Four employees died in the Afriland Towers aforeshadowing, according to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

The victims were senior staff members of the organization, according to a statement released by Mr. Dare Adekanmbi, the FIRS Chairman’s media aide.

The statement read, “Firs announces the tragic loss of four staff members with a heavy heart.”

The agency’s Medium Tax Audit and Onikan Emerging Tax Office, which are located on the sixth and seventh floors, are where the deceased are located.

Despite the fact that the building was already covered in thick smoke, FIRS claimed to have immediately alerted fire services.

The organization pledged to increase safety at all of its offices nationwide and offered assistance to the families who had been affected.

Six employees, who United Capital Plc described as “a significant part of our company and family,” were also confirmed by the company.

The statement read, “Their painful loss leaves an unfathomable void.”

Witnesses described chaotic scenes where trapped workers leaped and smashed windows, prompting evacuees to use ladders to aid.

The Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has approved the relocation of the National Youth Service Corps 2025 Batch “B” Stream II orientation camp from Yikpata’s permanent location.

Onifade Joshua, the scheme’s state coordinator, made the disclosure during a press conference in Ilorin.

He explained that the decision was made in response to concerns raised by “perpetrators and enemies of progress” (perpetrators).

Onifade assured prospective corps members and their parents that the three-week exercise would be conducted smoothly and with adequate security.

READ ALSO: NYSC Condemns Assault On Corps Member, To Provide Psychological Assistance

He claims that security forces will be stationed to protect participants’ lives and the safety of their loved ones.

He expressed his gratitude to the federal and state governments for their assistance and cooperation, noting that NYSC Kwara was fully equipped to host the orientation course.

The coordinator further disclosed that corps members who are scheduled to arrive in camp from Wednesday, September 24 through Tuesday, October 14, 2025 had already begun preparations.

Five Chinese companies have been sealed by the Ogun State government, and some officials have been detained for allegedly assaulting state and law enforcement personnel.

DL Plastics, Dyschenghan Plastics, SH Agricultural, Beautiful Fibre, and Jincaicai Nigeria are just a few of the businesses along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway’s Ogere axis.

Abayomi Hunye, the company’s Managing Director and Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, claimed that the businesses consistently broke environmental laws.

He explained that the businesses engaged in practices like improper waste disposal, waste burning, and refusing to use recognized government waste collectors.

“For the past six months, we have been on this case.” They declined to accept our invitation despite our letters and our invitation to let them know what they have done.

Our officials have visited them several times but they have not allowed them to enter, according to Hunye.

“Assault On State Officials”

Authorities reportedly locked the gates of the buildings last Thursday, but the businesses also broke the government chains and seals.

They remained silent, so our security staff locked their entrance gates last week, and they sealed them. However, they broke the government chains that were in place to encrypt them, he continued.

INCLUDE: Lagos Warns Defaulters and Suspends Land Reclamation

He claimed that when law enforcement officers went back to enforce the order, they were attacked by workers who suffered serious injuries.

Our law enforcement and law enforcement personnel were assaulted, mobbed, and taken to the hospital. He claimed that they intended harm and performed lawful duties.

Government’s Alert

Hunye criticized the incident as barbaric, citing the firms’ continued status as an environmental nuisance and a threat to legitimate governance.

The companies have the temerity to assault and inflict bodily harm on law enforcement officers and state government officials without considering their serious implications, he said, making it even more entrancing.

He reaffirmed that the government would not tolerate resolute foreigners who operate illegally and hide under investment.

The Kogi State Government has condemned a violent protest at the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, on Tuesday, the government dismissed claims of exclusion.

Fanwo said protesters under the Association of People Living with Disabilities (PWDs) locked the university gate and disrupted activities.

He described their claims of marginalisation in employment as “false”, insisting CUSTECH had already employed qualified persons with disabilities.

“Several PWDs are employed in both academic and non-academic roles”, Fanwo stated in the government’s press release.

READ ALSO: IPPIS Staff Plead Guilty To Diverting Salaries Of Former Govt Workers

He cited examples, including Rofiat Ohize, a technologist in Chemistry since May 2024, and Ahmed Rufai Omuya, an executive officer.

Another appointee, Mustapha Obaje, joined in March 2025 as an assistant lecturer in Technology Education, Fanwo added.

“These appointments demonstrate CUSTECH’s commitment to competence and merit in recruitment”, the statement stressed.

‘ Merit-Based Employment ‘

The government said vacancies at CUSTECH are publicly advertised, with all applicants, including PWDs, given equal opportunities to apply.

“Applications do not indicate disability status, recruitment is based strictly on qualifications and competence”, Fanwo clarified.

He maintained that the state could not operate a quota system in professions requiring high standards and academic excellence.

While sympathising with PWDs, the government said their claims of exclusion were “baseless” and encouraged proper applications for vacancies.

‘ Protest Politically Motivated ‘

Fanwo alleged the protest carried “political undertones”, citing the protesters ‘ expensive recording gadgets and heavy media mobilisation.

“With 2027 approaching, some politicians may exploit vulnerable groups to destabilise institutions”, the statement read.

He commended CUSTECH’s management and students for exercising restraint, preventing escalation into chaos during the disruption.

Governor Usman Ododo, Fanwo noted, remains committed to fairness for all citizens, regardless of physical status.

The government urged police and security agencies to investigate the protest and prevent future politically motivated disruptions.

Dr. Brian Reuben, the Africa Economic Summit Group’s (AESG) chief executive officer, has urged Nigerians to be able to cast ballots because of their democratic inequities.

This was made known on Wednesday during the Morning Brief, a morning program on Channels Television.

More than $20 billion is currently expended by Nigerians, which he described as being more than the Gross Domestic Product of some African nations, out of the total number of Nigerians living abroad.

He noted that while voting in federal elections is not possible for Nigerians in the Diaspora, they still invest in businesses, mentor new businesses, and act as informal ambassadors.

This is a “democracy deficit,” not just a policy gap. He said that many Nigerians who have a stake in our future have been silent because they have never committed crime but simply because of geography.

READ ALSO: 2027 Polls: Situation Room Calls For Quickly Passage Of Pending Reforms

He argued that the democracy of Nigeria is undermined by excluding people based on location, arguing that diaspora voting is a strategic imperative and a fundamental human right.

Dr. Reuben claimed that studies have demonstrated how politically transforming and technically feasible voting is abroad is in countries like Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa.

In the House of Representatives’ late November 2024, a bill to amend the constitution and allow for diaspora voting took the form of a second reading. The bill, which was cosponsored by Speakers Abbas Tajudeen and Sodeeq Abdullahi, seeks to amend the 2022 Electoral Act and has been referred to the Constitution Amendment Committee for further legislative action.

Diaspora voting will be introduced as part of the proposed electoral reforms in 2025, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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In a reportedly reported fire at the Afriland Towers in Lagos on Tuesday, ten employees of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and United Capital Plc lost their lives.

The FIRS and United Capital Plc have confirmed the deaths in separate statements.

FIRS reported losing four of its employees, but UCP reported that the incident had resulted in the loss of six.

The victims were identified as Mrs. Ekelikhostse George (Assistant Director), Mr. David Sunday-Jatto (Assistant Director), Mrs. Nkem Onyemelukwe (Senior Manager) and Mr. Peter Ifaranmaye (Manager).

When the tragedy struck, the deceased were occupied by the building’s sixth and seventh floors, which also house two FIRS offices.

The statement read, “Firs announces the tragic loss of four of its employees during the fire incident at Afriland Towers with a heavy heart,” the statement read.

The agency claimed the affected floors serve as the base for its Medium Tax Audit and Onikan Emerging Tax Office.

It added that the building’s Security and Safety officials called the fire service right away when they were called, but that already the building was covered in thick smoke.

According to FIRS, its management and staff are deeply shocked and have reached out to the deceased’s families, promising to offer all the help they need.

“We are collaborating with all relevant organizations in Lagos to discover the root of the unfortunate incident. We will be reviewing safety measures across FIRS offices, including those located in rented and owned buildings, throughout the country, according to the statement.

The UCP also expressed grief over the deaths of its employees, calling the fire victims “our company and family” and “an integral part” of it.

The statement continued, “Their painful loss leaves an unfilling void.”

On Tuesday, panic seized Broad Street as a result of smoke coming from the basement of the building.

Onlookers rushed with ladders and foamy materials for support while occupants were frantically jumping down in fear on the video.

While below stretched out their hands to catch them, strewn at glass windows to breathe.

According to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the fire started in the basement of the Afriland Tower’s inverter room.

Witnesses described obscene scenes where smoke echoed across Broad Street as it quickly spread through the upper floors.

Additionally, images of the incident showed that some windows were forced open for ventilation, and that smoke was seen billowing from the upper floors.

Numerous occupants crowded around the structure’s windows and ledges to escape the dense smoke that quickly spread.