A fire outbreak occured at one of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) offices in Abuja on Saturday.
Videos circulating on social media show flames engulfing parts of the building, triggering panic in the area.
In a statement signed by Sikiru Akinola, technical assistant (print media) to the FIRS executive chairman, the agency said the fire broke out at its office located at No. 15 Sokode Crescent, Wuse Zone 5.
“The fire, which broke out on the fourth floor of the building, was promptly responded to by our security personnel on duty,” the statement reads.
“With the swift support of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service and other emergency responders, the fire was successfully contained and prevented from spreading further.
“We are grateful to report that no lives were lost in the incident. However, a number of offices on the affected floor sustained damage.
“An investigation into the cause of the fire has commenced, with preliminary assessments pointing to a possible electrical fault.
“In the meantime, all internal safety protocols are being thoroughly reviewed and strengthened to mitigate against future occurrences.”
In September, four staff of the FIRS died in a fire at Afriland Towers on Broad street, Lagos.
The victims were identified as Ekelikhostse George, assistant director; David Sunday-Jatto, assistant director; Nkem Onyemelukwe, senior manager; and Peter Ifaranmaye, manager.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
