Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
An early morning inferno has gutted sections of the Federal Secretariat Complex in Phase 1, Abuja, causing extensive damage to government property and sparking a mass evacuation of civil servants.
The fire, which reportedly started around 8:20 a.m., was concentrated in Section C (Block C) of the complex, which houses the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).
Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the upper floors and roof of the building just as the workday was beginning.
The sight triggered panic among staff and visitors, leading to a chaotic scene as people rushed to exit the premises.
The Federal Fire Service, in collaboration with the FCT Fire Service and other emergency responders, arrived promptly at the scene.
Firefighters battled the blaze for over an hour, successfully cordoning off the area to prevent the flames from spreading to adjacent blocks within the massive administrative hub.
Authorities have confirmed that no lives were lost and no significant injuries were recorded.
The incident caused a significant security lockdown in the Three Arms Zone. Security personnel diverted traffic away from the Secretariat and the nearby Federal Court of Appeal, resulting in heavy traffic gridlock. Many civil servants and commuters were forced to abandon their vehicles and trek long distances to reach their destinations.
The media department of the OHCSF confirmed the incident, stating that the fire was limited to Section C and has since been brought under control.
As of Monday afternoon, the building remains cordoned off for cooling operations. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, though a full-scale investigation by the fire service and relevant security agencies is expected to commence immediately to ascertain if the spark was due to an electrical fault or other factors.
