The Federal Fire Service has announced a nationwide audit of public and private buildings to enforce fire safety compliance following the recent blaze at Afriland Towers in Lagos, which has now claimed at least 10 lives.
The inferno, which broke out on Tuesday afternoon in the inverter room of the six-storey building located on Lagos Island, killed six staff members of United Capital Plc and four employees of the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
Confirming the development in a statement on Thursday, the spokesperson for the Service, Paul Abraham, said the Controller General of the FFS, Samuel Olumode, has ordered an immediate safety audit of facilities across the country.
“The Controller General has directed the establishment of a nationwide Task Force on Fire Safety Compliance to audit public and private buildings, enforce safety standards, sanction non-compliance, and train facility managers and staff,” Abraham stated.
He added that investigators have been deployed to probe the Lagos incident and determine both the direct and remote causes of the fire. “The team will examine maintenance records, the state of safety systems, and overall compliance with fire regulations at the tower,” he explained.
Olumode expressed condolences to the bereaved families and organizations affected by the tragedy. “On behalf of the Service, I commiserate with the leadership of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the United Capital Group, and the families of all the victims. We pray for the repose of the departed and strength for their loved ones,” he said.
The Fire Service urged facility owners and corporate organizations to act urgently by reviewing their safety protocols. “Inverter and generator rooms must be secured, exit pathways unblocked, fire alarms functional, and staff trained in emergency response. Members of the public are also advised to report cases of non-compliance,” the statement read.
Olumode also commended the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for supporting the Federal Fire and Rescue Act, which he described as a “game-changer” for safety regulations and accountability in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the FFS said the outcome of its investigation into the Lagos fire will be made public, stressing that all recommendations would be swiftly implemented to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
