By Promise Dera
Copyright nigerianeye
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed profound grief over the tragic fire that ravaged Afriland Towers, a six-story commercial building on Broad Street, Lagos Island, on September 16, 2025, claiming ten lives and causing extensive property damage.
The governor described the incident as “unfortunate and shocking,” highlighting its devastating impact on families, businesses, and institutions, including the loss of four Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) staff members and six employees of United Capital PLC.
In a statement released on September 18, 2025, by his media aide, Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu extended condolences to the affected families and organizations.
“It is with a heavy heart that I received news of the fire outbreak. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and the management and staff of all the organizations that lost their loved ones. I wish the injured persons a speedy recovery,” he said.
The governor also sympathized with traders at the nearby Central Plaza, adjacent to Mandilas Market, who suffered losses worth millions of naira in the blaze, promising government support to mitigate their hardship.
Sanwo-Olu praised the swift response of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), the Federal Fire Service, and other first responders for their efforts in containing the fire and preventing further casualties.
He noted that their prompt action was critical in limiting the disaster’s scope, despite the tragic loss of life.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to bolstering safety standards across Lagos, announcing plans to strengthen collaboration with relevant agencies to enhance disaster prevention, emergency response, and enforcement of safety protocols in public and private facilities.
“We will intensify efforts to ensure such incidents are minimized through proactive measures and stricter compliance with safety regulations,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The Afriland Towers fire, which originated in the building’s inverter room and rapidly spread smoke through multiple floors, follows a string of high-profile fire incidents in Lagos markets, including a recent blaze at Mandilas Market that destroyed parts of three adjoining plazas.
These recurring tragedies have amplified concerns about urban safety, particularly in densely populated commercial areas, prompting calls for urgent fire prevention measures.
As investigations into the cause of the Afriland Towers fire continue, residents and business owners are looking to the state government for concrete actions to prevent future disasters.
Sanwo-Olu’s assurances of support and enhanced safety measures offer hope, but the challenge of balancing rapid urban growth with robust safety infrastructure remains a pressing issue for Nigeria’s economic hub.
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