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The Federal Fire Service has announced plans to conduct a nationwide fire safety compliance audit in the wake of Tuesday’s deadly inferno at Afriland Tower on Lagos Island.
At least six more fatalities have now been confirmed from the blaze, bringing the toll higher.
The victims, employees of United Capital, a financial and investment services firm that occupied the third and fourth floors of the six-storey commercial building, were confirmed dead on Thursday.
Their deaths came barely 24 hours after the Federal Inland Revenue Service disclosed that four of its staff also lost their lives in the tragedy.
The fire, which reportedly started in the inverter room in the basement, broke out around 1:30 p.m. on September 16.
In a statement on Thursday, the first service’s spokesman, Paul Abraham, said the Controller General, Samuel Olumode, had directed that both public and private buildings nationwide would undergo comprehensive safety checks to assess preparedness against fire disasters.
The exercise will enforce compliance with fire safety standards, sanction defaulting facilities, and provide training for managers and staff.
“The Controller General, on behalf of the Service, commiserates with the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, the entire management and staff of FIRS, the Chairman of the United Bank for Africa, Mr. Tony Elumelu, and the management and staff of the UBA Group, as well as the families of all those who lost their lives in this tragedy. He prays for the repose of the departed and comfort for their loved ones,” the statement read in part.
Olumode also announced the rollout of a Nationwide Task Force on Fire Safety Compliance, which will audit buildings, enforce safety standards, sanction errant owners, and strengthen collaboration with regulatory agencies.
As part of the follow-up, investigators have been deployed to probe the Lagos inferno.
They are expected to review maintenance records, assess the state of safety systems, and determine the building’s level of compliance with fire regulations.
“Following initial reports indicating that the fire originated from the inverter room of the building, the CG has directed the immediate deployment of a Federal Fire Service investigation team to establish the direct and remote causes of the incident, including the state of safety systems, maintenance practices, and compliance with fire safety regulations. The findings will be made public, and all recommendations implemented without delay,” Abraham stated.
The service further urged corporate bodies, public agencies, and facility owners to urgently review their safety protocols.
This includes securing power rooms, keeping exit pathways free, ensuring alarms and extinguishers are functional, and training staff on emergency response.
Olumode commended the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for supporting the enactment of the Federal Fire and Rescue Act, which he said would usher in a new era of fire prevention, safety audits, and accountability across Nigeria.
