Tony Elumelu Confirm Say Heirs Holdings Staff Die for Afriland Towers Fire

Chairman of Heirs Holdings and United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, don confirm say some staff of Heirs Holdings dey among the people wey die for the fire wey happen on Tuesday for Afriland Towers, Lagos Island. The six-storey building wey catch fire also get one UBA branch inside. The confirmation come from one message wey Elumelu send give staff under Heirs Holdings letterhead, dated Wednesday, September 17, 2025, just the day after the fire. Elumelu describe the fire incident as one big tragedy, talk say words no fit express the pain wey families, friends, and colleagues of the people wey die dey feel. “My heart dey really heavy because of the bad incident wey happen yesterday for Afriland Towers, wey take the lives of our dear colleagues. No word fit really talk the kind heavy loss wey this be, not for their family wey love them, not for their friends wey value them, and not for we wey work with them side by side. Yesterday just remind us wetin really matter pass: na our people, the ones wey dey waka enter our office every day and dey carry our mission for mind.” na wetin the message talk.

Elumelu also talk say he sharply cancel him travel go United States for the United Nations General Assembly, make he return Lagos to show respect to the people wey die. He direct say all Heirs Holdings companies must observe one-minute silence on Wednesday, September 17, and he promise full support for the families wey the fire affect. He also announce say dem go soon do memorial service to honour the workers wey die, and he praise emergency workers, first aid people, and Nigerians wey show courage during the fire.

Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS) talk say the fire start for the inverter room wey dey basement of Afriland Towers, the six-storey building wey get many businesses, including one UBA branch. Deputy Controller General Ogabi Olajide talk say dem receive the emergency call around 1:38 p.m., and firefighters from Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu stations rush go the place. The smoke spread enter many floors for the building, cause serious panic and make people run up and down to escape. Eyewitnesses describe say the scene na total confusion as workers and visitors dey struggle to come out from smoke-filled offices. LSFRS confirm say dem rescue nine people, and five of them don already recover after dem give first aid. Others escape without injury. Officials still dey try revive four other victims and dey assess the full level of the damage.