Heartbreaking: Names And Images Of FIRS Employees Killed In Lagos Skyscraper Fire Surface

According to Ireporter Online, tragedy struck on Tuesday when a massive fire engulfed Afriland Towers, a high-rise building located on Broad Street in Lagos, which accommodates the offices of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), United Capital Plc (UCAP), a branch of United Bank for Africa (UBA), and several other financial institutions.

Reports indicated that the fire originated from the building’s inverter room before spreading to other floors. Disturbing videos circulating on social media showed panicked occupants desperately escaping through windows to save their lives.

Confirming the incident in a statement on Wednesday, the FIRS announced that four of its officials had sadly lost their lives after inhaling thick smoke that enveloped the building. The statement, signed by Dare Adekanmbi, media aide to FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji, revealed that the victims were working on the sixth and seventh floors when the inferno broke out.

The agency further disclosed the identities of the deceased officials as:

• George Faith Ekelikhostse, 58, an Assistant Director who had served for 32 years and was only three days away from her voluntary retirement.

• Sunday-Jatto David, 51, an Assistant Director with 15 years of service.

• Ifaranmaye Peter, 48, a Manager who had spent nine years with the service.

• Onyemelukwe Nkem, 54, a Senior Manager with 13 years of service.

The heartbreaking revelation has thrown the FIRS community and the nation at large into mourning, as tributes continue to pour in for the dedicated officials who lost their lives in the line of duty.