By Muhammad Mamman
A fire outbreak on Monday morning gutted a section of the Federal Secretariat complex in Abuja, triggering panic among workers and early visitors to the government facility.
The blaze affected part of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation located within the sprawling federal complex in the nation’s capital.
Eyewitnesses said the fire was first noticed at about 8:20am, with thick plumes of black smoke seen billowing from the affected section of the building. Videos circulating on social media showed smoke rising above the structure as onlookers gathered outside the premises.
The incident reportedly occurred at Section C of the building inside the Federal Secretariat complex, a major administrative hub housing several government ministries and agencies.
Staff members and security personnel were seen evacuating parts of the building as authorities moved to contain the situation. The cause of the fire was not immediately known at the time of reporting.
Emergency responders were reportedly mobilised to the scene to prevent the blaze from spreading to other sections of the complex.
Officials have yet to confirm the extent of the damage or whether there were any casualties. Investigations into the incident are expected to begin once the fire is fully contained.
The Federal Secretariat in Abuja serves as one of the central administrative centres for Nigeria’s federal civil service, accommodating offices of key ministries and departments.
