A section of the Federal Secretariat complex in Abuja, housing the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, caught fire on Monday morning, causing widespread panic among civil servants and visitors. The blaze reportedly broke out at around 8:20 a.m. in Block C of the complex, with thick smoke billowing from the affected area.
Emergency responders, including personnel from the Federal Fire Service, were quickly alerted and rushed to the scene to contain the situation. According to eyewitnesses, staff members were seen evacuating the area as firefighters worked to put out the flames.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, but authorities suspect an explosion from the Electrical Utility Room on the third floor of Block C, which is being used as a solar and inverter room by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The fire reportedly affected the utility rooms on the second to eighth floors of the building, but the extent of the damage is yet to be determined. The incident caused a diversion of vehicular movement from the Federal Court of Appeal area.
The Office of the Head of Service of the Federation has confirmed the incident, stating that emergency officials are working to contain the situation. The Permanent Secretaries, Common Services Office-OHCSF, Mrs. Lydia S. Jafiya, and Special Duties Office, Faruk Yusuf Yabo, were on the ground overseeing the operation.
The fire was eventually brought under control by the prompt response of personnel from the Federal and FCT Fire Services at around 5 p.m.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security measures in place at the Federal Secretariat complex.
