A fire outbreak at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation building in Abuja on Monday morning triggered heavy traffic congestion around the Federal Secretariat, forcing many commuters to trek to their destinations.
The incident, which occurred around 8:00 a.m., drew emergency responders to the scene as thick plumes of dark smoke billowed from an upper floor of the multi-storey building.
Grow your business with us
Eyewitness footage circulating on social media showed dense black smoke rising from one wing of the structure, reportedly located at Section C of the building within the Federal Secretariat complex.
As firefighters battled to contain the blaze, security officials diverted vehicles away from the affected area, causing significant gridlock around the Head of Service office and adjoining roads within the Secretariat.
Several motorists were prevented from using their usual routes, while passengers were forced to disembark and continue their journeys on foot due to the road restrictions and the buildup of traffic.
Staff members and visitors were also seen moving away from the building as emergency personnel worked to bring the situation under control.
When contacted, the Media Department of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation confirmed the incident, noting that the fire was confined to Section C of the building.