At least six more people have been confirmed dead following the fire outbreak at Afriland Towers, a six-storey commercial complex located on Broad Street, Lagos Island.

The latest victims were employees of United Capital, an investment and financial services company that occupied the third and fourth floors of the building.

The confirmation comes only hours after the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) announced the deaths of four of its staff members in the same incident on Wednesday evening.

The fire, which reportedly broke out in the inverter room at the basement around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, generated thick smoke and caused widespread panic among occupants. Witnesses said some individuals attempted to escape through windows as emergency teams fought to contain the blaze.

Operatives of the Federal Fire Service, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and other first responders evacuated at least nine people from the tower. Five of them were resuscitated, while four remained unconscious at the time.

“A total of nine victims have been rescued. Five individuals have been resuscitated. Several others escaped unhurt, while efforts are ongoing to revive the remaining four,” the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said in an earlier update, raising fears of possible casualties.

In an official statement released on Thursday morning, United Capital confirmed that six of its staff had died in the incident. The new figure brings the total number of confirmed deaths from the Afriland Towers fire to 10.

“It is with profound grief that the Management and Staff of United Capital Plc announce the passing of six of our dear colleagues, following the tragic fire at Afriland Towers on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

“Our departed colleagues were an integral part of our company and family. Their painful loss leaves an immeasurable void. We extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones, and we continue to hold them in our thoughts and prayers, as well as provide all the support we can to them during this most difficult time.

“We are making preparations for an appropriate memorial service to honour their lives and mark their passing with dignity and solemnity. We thank the emergency services and all those who responded for their valiant assistance at the time of the incident.

“In this moment of untold grief, we stand together in solidarity, drawing strength from one another as we navigate this period. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” the company stated.

Authorities earlier confirmed that several occupants were rescued from the inferno, which was suspected to have been triggered by an inverter explosion. However, no official casualty figure has yet been issued.

Efforts to obtain confirmation from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) were unsuccessful as of press time.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says recent air interdictions carried out by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai have killed several terrorists and destroyed their hideout in Borno State.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

Ejodame explained that the airstrikes took place on Wednesday at about 10:50 a.m. in the Bula Madibale and Gezuwa general areas of the state.

He said intelligence and surveillance had earlier confirmed unusual activity at the location, where about 45 terrorists were seen gathering, with some arriving on motorcycles and bicycles from different directions.

According to him, reconnaissance also showed two terrorist flags raised at the site, indicating it was being used as a stronghold and rallying point for insurgents.

“Acting on this credible intelligence, the Air Component launched precision strikes, eliminating several terrorists, while the flagged structure and other hostile assets were destroyed,” he said.

Ejodame added that the operation disrupted the insurgents’ ability to regroup, reinforce, or launch fresh attacks on communities in the North-East.

He reaffirmed that the Armed Forces remain committed to restoring peace and stability in the region.

The Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MOE&WR) has observed with grave concern the proliferation of reclamation activities on Wetlands, Floodplains and the Lagoons across the State, particularly around Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne and other parts of Ikoyi, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki, Lagos Mainland, Ikorodu, Ojo and Badagry axis, without consideration of the adverse Impacts on the Environment and the Wellbeing and Safety of the good people of the State.

These indiscriminate Reclamation projects are being executed without requisite Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Approvals and Drainage Clearance from this Ministry.

While reclamation may provide space for Housing and Infrastructure development, it also poses significant Environmental and Social risks including increased vulnerability to flooding, coastal erosion, disruption of livelihood (especially fishing), loss of wetlands and biodiversity, constriction of the Lagoons and their capacity, impairment of water quality amongst others.

With the low-lying topography of the State and its fragile ecosystem, the State Government cannot afford to allow this indiscriminate reclamation of the Lagoons, Wetlands and floodplains to continue unabated.

Consequently, the Ministry is by this Notice directing all Reclamation Projects across the State with or without EIA approval and Drainage Clearance to be SUSPENDED IMMEDIATELY.

All approved Reclamation Projects across the State must be submitted for proper

Documentation and Monitoring, while all on-going and intending ones must be subjected to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process with issuance of Approval Letter and Drainage Clearance from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

Failure to comply with this directive within the next 7 DAYS after this publication shall leave the Ministry with no other option than to deploy APPROPRIATE machineries to decommission the reclaimed sites including excavation and removal of fill, reconnecting of already blocked water channels on the Lagoon and the arrest and prosecution of anyone involved and or found on the site of the illegality.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Signed:

Mr Tokunbo Wahab

Honourable Commissioner,

Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources,

Lagos State.