A fire broke out at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation building in Abuja on Monday morning, causing significant disruption to traffic around the Federal Secretariat and forcing many commuters to abandon their vehicles and continue on foot.
The incident occurred around 8:00 a.m., with thick, dark smoke seen rising from an upper floor of the multi-storey building. Eyewitnesses reported that the flames appeared to be concentrated in Section C of the structure, part of the larger Secretariat complex. The dramatic scene drew the immediate attention of emergency responders, who quickly rushed to contain the blaze.
As firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, security personnel took steps to divert traffic away from the affected area. This resulted in severe congestion on roads surrounding the building, leaving motorists stranded for extended periods. Commuters faced delays, and many were forced to trek considerable distances to reach their destinations due to road closures and the heavy buildup of vehicles.
Authorities on the ground confirmed that staff members and visitors were evacuated safely from the building while emergency teams managed the situation. Fire personnel were promptly deployed and focused on bringing the fire under control, with the containment effort continuing through the morning.
At the time of the report, the exact cause of the fire remained unknown. Officials stated that a thorough investigation would be conducted once the situation was fully resolved to determine the circumstances leading to the outbreak.
The incident highlighted the challenges emergency services face in densely built areas and underscored the importance of rapid response in preventing further escalation. Residents and commuters were urged to exercise caution and adhere to traffic diversions while emergency operations were ongoing.
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