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Lagos fire: Emergency workers fight blaze as govt threatens to pull down illegal structures
Emergency workers continued operations at Mandilas yesterday, following the raging fire outbreak on Balogun, Lagos Island.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING
Although the blaze had been largely extinguished, flames were still visible in some of the affected buildings.
The fire, which started at Emab Plaza, a four-storey building located behind Mandilas, was first reported around 8:00 p.m. It began on the fourth floor before spreading rapidly to nearby structures, ultimately consuming four buildings: two four-storey buildings, one three-storey building, and one two-storey building.
When The Guardian visited the scene, it observed that shops attached to the main buildings in the market had been marked for demolition by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
During the operation, a man approached emergency workers, claiming that his brother was still inside one of the buildings, although this could not be verified.
A shoe trader, Caroline Alabi, recounted: “The fire started about 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday and I have a shop in Obama Plaza. I was severely affected. I could not remove any of my goods because I live in Sangotedo and only arrived around 10:00 a.m. the following day.
“After the Mandilas Warehouse burnt down in 2024, progress was made on installing a fire hydrant system in the market, but the project was never completed. When I arrived, I met the fire service on the ground and I can say they tried their best, but the equipment was inadequate.
“The government is inconsiderate in the kind of resources it provides for tackling such fires. Now the government is proposing new taxes on business owners from 2026, and I hope this will at least bring us better protection.
“No one here is insured, including myself, because I don’t think any insurance company would agree to cover a market like this.”
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Office of Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, who visited the scene, criticised building owners and threatened to demolish structures with illegal extensions.
He warned: “If you attach an extension to your building and its removal affects the structure, the entire building will be pulled down. Tell those from whom you have collected money and who are using those extensions to vacate immediately. You have until Friday (today). By Friday evening, I will return to start demolishing. You cannot continue to cause inconvenience in Lagos State.
“Remove your goods because there will be no stopping once we begin demolition. Any building obstructing the tractors will also be pulled down. You cannot keep wasting taxpayers’ money.”
Meanwhile, the number of casualties in the Afriland Tower fire has risen to 10 following the confirmation by United Capital Plc of the death of six members of its staff.
The announcement came after the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) earlier confirmed the loss of four of its staff in the inferno.
In a statement, United Capital said: “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. We continue to hold them in our thoughts and prayers while providing all the support we can 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.”
Also, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) yesterday described the deaths recorded in the Lagos fire outbreak as avoidable, blaming the tragedy on the absence of basic safety infrastructure such as fire hydrants, extinguishers and emergency exits.
The group also condemned what it termed the delayed arrival of first responders, which it said worsened the fatalities.
HURIWA urged the families of the deceased to institute legal action against the owners of the housing complex, as well as the Lagos State and federal governments, and seek not less than N1 billion each in compensation for what it called “criminal negligence.”
In a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA insisted that government bore a constitutional duty to prevent fire disasters or at least minimise their impact by enforcing safety codes for high-rise buildings.
“It is the legal duty of government to prevent such avoidable tragedies,” Onwubiko said, wondering why corporate and public institutions alike failed to notice that the complex housing their offices lacked basic fire-fighting facilities.
The group maintained that bereaved families should seek damages from employers and government authorities for contributing to the “untimely deaths” through failure to provide emergency exits and fire equipment.
Additionally, the Federal Fire Service (FFS) yesterday ordered an investigation into Tuesday’s fire at Afriland Tower, Broad Street, Lagos Island, which claimed the lives of 10 employees of companies housed in the building.
Controller General of the Service, Samuel Adeyemi Olumode, in a statement, commiserated with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the United Bank for Africa (UBA), as well as families and friends of those who lost their lives in the inferno.
“Following initial reports indicating that the fire originated from the inverter room of the building, the CGF 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 statement said.
Olumode assured that the findings would be made public and recommendations implemented without delay.
He announced plans to roll out a nationwide Task Force on Fire Safety Compliance to audit buildings, enforce standards, sanction offenders, train facility managers and strengthen collaboration with regulators.
He urged corporate bodies and agencies to review their fire readiness and commended Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo for backing reforms under the Federal Fire and Rescue Act.
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The Kano State Government has announced that the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, will lead this year’s Eid-el-Fitr Durbar, even as it unveiled strict guidelines to prevent a breakdown of law and order during the celebrations.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING
The government said the decision, approved by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, followed credible intelligence reports indicating attempts by some individuals to create unrest during the Sallah period.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the government said it remained committed to preserving Kano’s cultural heritage but would prioritise peace and security.
According to the statement, Hawan Idi (Eid Durbar) will be conducted by Emir Sanusi from the Kofar Mata Eid Ground through designated routes to Gidan Shettima, terminating at Kofar Fatalwa of the emir’s palace.
It added that Hawan Nasarawa would be held in a modified form without horseback displays, while Hawan Daushe, Hawan Fanisau and Hawan Dorayi have been suspended for the time being in the interest of public safety.
The government said all security agencies had been directed to intensify surveillance and ensure strict compliance with the directives before, during and after the festive period.
It urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding and cooperative with security agencies, while cautioning against the spread of unverified information.
The government further assured the public of its commitment to a peaceful and hitch-free Sallah celebration, wishing Muslims in the state a joyous Eid-el-Fitr.
The Durbar, a centuries-old cultural procession, has been thrown into uncertainty following conflicting statements from government officials on whether it will hold this year, given the unresolved legal battle between Sanusi II and Aminu Ado Bayero.
While Governor Yusuf reinstated Sanusi II in 2024, Bayero continues to contest his dethronement in court, leaving the emirship in dispute.
The government recently hinted that the stool controversy would soon be resolved.
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Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has dismissed comments by human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over what he described as transactional politics and activism.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING
PUNCH Online reports that Sowore’s comment followed a viral video in which the activist criticised what he described as “transactional politics” among some regional agitators and influencers, accusing them of aligning with political actors for personal or material benefit.
In the video, Sowore appeared to reference Igboho, suggesting that his recent political positions, including support for President Bola Tinubu’s potential re-election bid, reflected what he termed “amala politics” — a colloquial expression often used to imply opportunistic or interest-driven engagement rather than principled activism.
Igboho, in a statement issued by his media aide, Olayomi Koiki, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Tuesday, criticised Sowore for allegedly describing his activism as “amala politics” in a recent viral video circulating on social media.
He described the comment as an inconsequential rant that should be ignored by the public.
Igboho argued that his agitation for improved security in the South-West and his support for the second-term bid of President Bola Tinubu in 2027 were constitutional rights aimed at promoting the collective interests of the Yoruba people and the development of Nigeria.
He said, “We strongly reject the characterisation of Igboho’s activism as transactional. Such a myopic position misrepresents the intent and focus of our agitation on effective grassroots security in the South-West and Nigeria as a whole.
“How many protests did Sowore organise to push for my freedom? Sowore’s claim of fighting for the masses contradicts his alleged daily lodging expenses of N450,000 at a popular Lagos hotel.
“I cannot be compelled to endorse political figures such as Peter Obi or Atiku Abubakar, or even align with Sowore’s political platform. I have the right to make independent political decisions based on the security and collective interests of the Yoruba people.”
He added that Igboho’s advocacy prioritises addressing insecurity across Yorubaland, including killings of farmers, kidnappings along highways and attacks on traditional rulers and royal institutions.
Koiki, however, clarified that these concerns form the basis of Igboho’s movement rather than any ambition for political office or revolutionary leadership.
The statement added, “While Sowore has consistently promoted nationwide revolution as a pathway to leadership, Igboho’s approach is rooted in protecting lives, land and property within Yoruba territory. This agitation is a response to real and ongoing threats faced by communities in the region.
“Latest security incidents in northern Nigeria, including reported explosions in Maiduguri on March 16, 2026, also raise questions about the broader effectiveness of long-term revolutionary advocacy.
“We challenge Sowore to assess the situation in his home state of Ondo State, considering the growing cases of banditry, kidnapping and attacks on rural communities.”
The statement added that the impact of insecurity on vulnerable groups, including farmers, traditional rulers, women and children, had been severe, with several communities reportedly affected.
“These realities reinforce Igboho’s long-standing call since 2020 for localised security measures and stronger regional protection strategies.
“Labelling our agitation and efforts as ‘amala politics’ undermines the urgency of the security crisis and the legitimacy of grassroots agitation,” the statement concluded
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The continuous detention of the former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has sparked reactions from politicians and socio-political activists.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING
DAILY POST reports that the former governor has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, over an ongoing investigation into alleged financial impropriety when he was governor.
El-Rufai had earlier spent two nights in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before he was picked up by the Department of State Services and then later handed over to the ICPC.
His continuous detention has sparked outrage among citizens who are calling on the commission to immediately charge the former governor to court.
Popular socio-political activist, Aisha Yesufu, said in a post on X that “holding a citizen indefinitely without trial” is impossible.
According to her, “that is not justice. That is not accountability. That begins to look like persecution.
“Every Nigerian, no matter how powerful or unpopular, has the right to a fair hearing. That right is not a favour from the government. It is a constitutional guarantee. If El-Rufai committed crimes, then prosecute him. Nigerians will support that. But what we must never
Support is a system where the government can detain anyone endlessly, simply because it can.
“Today, it may be El-Rufai. Tomorrow, it could be anyone else who speaks or acts in a way that those in power do not like. A democracy must be better than that.
“So the message is simple: charge him in court or release him. Let justice be done openly, lawfully, and transparently. That is the only way a nation that claims to respect the rule of law should act”.
Similarly, an activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, in an interview he posted on X on Wednesday, demanded that the former governor be charged to court immediately, condemning El-Rufai’s incarceration.
“No matter the allegations, I think he should be charged in a court of competent jurisdiction so that he can face the music.
“All these things currently going on don’t look tidy to me”, he said.
On his part, Paul Ibe, a media aide to the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, lambasted ICPC for not charging the former governor to court.
In a statement on his X handle, Ibe accused the Commission of taking sides with the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
He wrote, “The matter of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai @elrufai has proven beyond measure that the ‘I’ in ICPC (Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission) @icpcnigeria represents Illegal or Irresponsible.
“There’s nothing Independent about the Commission. They’re no different from all the other institutions of state that are standing on Tinubu’s mandate. The ICPC is nauseatingly pliable and has disgracefully made itself available in coercing members of the opposition into the ruling party”!
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