Four unidentified individuals are fighting for their lives following a fire that ravaged a six-storey building at Afriland Tower, which accommodates a branch of the United Bank for Africa and various other businesses on Broad Street in Lagos Island. Simultaneously, another plaza in the vicinity was also engulfed in flames, resulting in part of the structure collapsing.

The initial incident sparked widespread panic among occupants and pedestrians in this bustling commercial area. Multiple videos circulating on social media captured the chaos, showing individuals attempting to leap from the burning building, while some were rescued by courageous residents and bystanders using ladders.

Crowds gathered outside the building, anxiously watching as firefighters and volunteers worked to control the situation. The Deputy Controller of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the emergency, noting that they received the distress call at 1:38 p.m. Fire crews from both Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu fire stations promptly responded.

“The fire originated in the inverter room located in the basement, with smoke spreading across multiple floors and engulfing the structure,” he stated. Evacuation of occupants was underway, and firefighting efforts successfully mitigated the widespread panic before first responders arrived.

An anonymous emergency responder, interviewed at the scene, shared their experience: “I managed to rescue two individuals from the top of the building, but when firefighters arrived, we were instructed to leave the area.”

In a later update, fire officials reported that 11 individuals were evacuated to ambulances, with nine casualties rescued and five receiving successful resuscitation. “Several others escaped without injury, and efforts are ongoing to resuscitate the remaining four individuals. Relevant emergency agencies are on-site to maintain crowd control and facilitate the work of emergency responders.”

In a separate incident, it was reported that part of Central Plaza on Broad Street collapsed after being consumed by fire around 7:40 p.m. The rapid spread of flames through the multi-storey shopping complex coincided with emergency responders’ attempts to contain the blaze.

Witnesses noted that the occupants were evacuated before the collapse, alleviating concerns about anyone being trapped under the debris. One eyewitness recounted, “When the fire broke out, the traders had already been evacuated. The building collapsed while emergency personnel were engaged in firefighting efforts. I don’t believe anyone was caught in the wreckage.”

When approached for comment regarding the second incident, a spokesperson for the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that rescue operations were still active but declined to provide further details until the situation was resolved.

As of now, the exact causes of these fire incidents have not been determined. It is worth noting that a previous report indicated a fire at the A1 Petroleum Filling Station on Isawo Road in Ikorodu, Lagos, which also caused significant concern among residents and commuters nearby. The blaze was believed to have originated from a diesel-laden truck parked at the site, leading to panic over potential explosions.

A woman known only as Modupe Alasin has passed away after being brutally assaulted by her husband in Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State due to her being late to the farm.

A witness who requested to remain anonymous stated that the woman cried out and pleaded for mercy while her husband beat her repeatedly.

After a short while, the man commanded the woman to fetch water from the nearby stream, but she collapsed and died next to it due to exhaustion.

Upon being reached, the Public Relations Officer of Ekiti State Police Command, SP Sunday Abutu, validated the occurrence, stating that the husband had been detained for additional inquiry

A man in his 50s named Odomma was found dead in the Amakpu Okuku community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State on Friday morning. He was discovered hanging in an unfinished building near his home. Officials are now looking into the matter.

Odomma was a father of four who sold water in jerry cans and buckets.
He had been having financial problems for a long time and couldn’t support his family. His wife and children reportedly stopped giving him food because he couldn’t provide for them anymore.

Some people in the village said Odomma had talked about ending his life three months ago.
He told a few friends that if things didn’t get better, he would take his own life. A community member named Ikenna said they told him to talk to the village leader to find a solution, but he didn’t. Ikenna said it was sad that Odomma chose to end his life instead of selling his generator or water tank to get money. Now the family will eat together, but he won’t be there.

When the news spread, many people rushed to the scene.
They crowded around the unfinished building to see the body and took photos with their phones. Odomma was known in the community for selling water at prices starting from ₦100. Over the past few months, he looked very sad and hopeless.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Imo State, Henry Okoye, said he would check with the local police to confirm the situation.
He promised to get back with more details but later couldn’t be reached on the phone.